November 24, 2008 Volume 12 Number 23

Pipleline pressure squeezes Lubicon p g . 1 5 inside Why I am a Mennonite 4 Food justice stories 16-18 Focus on Mission & Service 26 2 Canadian Mennonite November 24, 2008

Editorial about Anabaptists in a report published in that denomination’s news service: “It was [early Anabaptist lead- Hyphenated- ers] Balthasar Hubmaier and Pilgram Marpeck who advocated the right for all to worship whomever they wished, knowing that conversion does not come Anabaptists by physical sword but by the convicting Tim Miller Dyck of the Spirit of God through the Word of Editor/Publisher God. . . . Anabaptist history has long been ignored and neglected by most historians hat does it mean to be Jesus as practising a non-violent under- and Christians. . . . Yet, the Free Church Mennonite? This issue features standing and compassion for the poor. and Believer’s Church [are] a direct result Wthe stories of five people who To be an Anabaptist is to be completely of Anabaptists, many of whom died for chose to become Mennonite as Jesus-centred and you can do that their baptistic beliefs.” adults. Their reasons for finding in any denomination,” he said. “We come from the Anabaptists,” he Mennonite congregations and One of the biggest groups continued. “They were those who be- Mennonite theology so compelling claiming Anabaptist theology is lieved in a regenerate church, religious help us all better understand the British Baptists. Vic told a story of liberty, separation from the perversions value of the faith we share. going to Greenbelt, a big Christian of the world, and the believer’s baptism.” I also had the chance this month outdoor cultural event, and sit- Caner said he wanted to help to talk with someone who lives in a part ting across from a woman on the train. bring Southern Baptists back to their of the world where hardly anyone knows She said that she had never heard of Anabaptist heritage, to dialogue with what the word “Mennonite” means. Vic Mennonites, but when Vic talked about scholars of like mind, and “create an Thiessen, his wife Kathy, and daughter being Anabaptist, she exclaimed that she Anabaptist movement that will be Janelle are all Mennonite Church Canada was one too, as was her church—a large broader than it is in its present day.” Witness workers at the London (England) Baptist congregation. From unexpected sources—a train Mennonite Centre. Baptists and Mennonites share a close in the United Kingdom to a Southern Almost no one he meets in Britain theological heritage, as both have roots Baptist theologian—we discover connec- has heard of Mennonites, and, if they in the Anabaptist movement and theol- tions between different parts of God’s have, they think of them as being Amish ogy. That church is named Baptist for the church and gifts that Anabaptist insights and wearing only black clothing. The same reason Mennonites are also called can bring for all to share. word is a barrier to outreach. “In the Anabaptist—because membership was U.K., ‘Mennonite’ is seen as having an (and is) tied to a public confession of faith Gift subscription sale: Canadian ethno-cultural meaning and that’s why and adult baptism. Mennonite is a gift that connects those others don’t feel they can be part of it,” he I’m glad to see Baptists around the receiving it with our faith and one that said. His solution? “We talk about being world rediscovering their Anabaptist keeps doing so throughout the year. All Anabaptist almost exclusively.” heritage. One big example is Baptist gift subscriptions are available at a 10 per- What’s wonderful to see is how eagerly Church in Chile reaching out to cent saving from now until Christmas. To Anabaptist ideas have been adopted Mennonite Church Canada for help in its order, please call our office at 1-800-378- by those discovering the Jesus-centred desire to become Anabaptist. 2524 and speak to Lisa at extension 221 or values of Anabaptist theology. Vic calls This connection has also been a recent e-mail [email protected]. these people hyphenated-Anabaptists: rediscovery by Southern Baptist theolo- Christmas issue schedule: Note that Anabaptist-Baptists, Anabaptist- gians in the U.S. Emir Caner, a history pro- we publish on a three-week cycle over Anglicans and so on. “Anabaptists in the fessor and dean at Southwestern Baptist Christmas, so the next two issues will be U.K. think Jesus-centred. They think of Theological Seminary, had this to say dated Dec. 15, 2008, and Jan. 5, 2009.

About the cover: Circulation: Please contact Lisa Jacky toll-free at Pipes are stockpiled outside of Lubicon Cree territory in northern Alberta, 1-800-378-2524 ext. 221 or by e-mail at office@ in advance of government approval of a TransCanada application for a canadianmennonite.org for subscriptions and ad- pipeline through contested aboriginal land. See story on page 15. dress changes. Subscriptions can also be ordered at Photo: Amnesty International our web site. We acknowledge the financial support of the Government of Canada through the Publications Assistance Program towards our mailing costs. ISSN 1480-042X PUBLICATIONS MAIL AGREEMENT NO. 40063104 REGISTRATION NO. 09613 Why I am a Mennonite 4 RETURN UNDELIVERABLE ITEMS TO CANADIAN MENNONITE contentsWelcoming newcomers into our churches is something we all want to 490 DUTTON DRIVE, UNIT C5 do well. Read about five people who chose to become Mennonites as WATERLOO ON N2L 6H7 adults: Sally and Les Warkentin, Doris Daley Haysom, April Phone: 519-884-3810 Toll-free: 1-800-378-2524 Fax: 519-884-3331 and . Find out, in their own words, what Web site: canadianmennonite.org Yamasaki Stefan Cherry drew them in and keeps them engaged. Please send all material to be considered for publication to: General submission address: [email protected] Pipeline pressure squeezes Lubicon 15 Readers Write: [email protected] It’s business as usual in the northern Alberta community of Milestones announcements: [email protected] Lubicon Lake First Nation. Alberta correspondent Donita Obituaries: Karen Suderman, [email protected] Wiebe-Neufeld reports that, after 30 years of unwanted Calendar announcements: [email protected] resource development, the Cree nation is now facing Material can also be sent “Attn: Submissions/Readers Write/Milestones/ another new pipeline across its contested land. Obituaries/Calendar” by postal mail or fax to our head office. Food justice stories 16-18 Reprint requests: [email protected] Articles by Manitoba correspondent Evelyn Rempel Mission statement: Canadian Mennonite (CM) is a bi-weekly Anabaptist/ Petkau on the recent “Take and eat” conference and a Mennonite-oriented periodical which seeks to promote covenantal relation- follow-up to the 100 Mile Diet, highlight how food, and its ships within the church (Hebrews 10:23-25). It provides channels for sharing production and distribution, are integral to our faith. accurate and fair information, faith profiles, inspirational/educational materials, and news and analyses of issues facing the church. In fulfilling its mission, the Called to live creatively 19 primary constituency of CM is the people and churches of Mennonite Church B.C. Women’s retreat draws 90 to Camp Squeah, where they learn about Canada and its five related area churches. CM also welcomes readers from the creative work and play, in this report by Waltrude Gortzen. broader inter-Mennonite and inter-church scene. Editorial freedom is expressed through seeking and speaking the truth in love and by providing a balance of A personal odyssey 22 perspectives in news and commentary. CM will be a vehicle through which Winnipeg cyclist Arvid Loewen endures the rigours of biking across mutual accountability can be exercised within the community of believers; the the U.S. in support of a Kenyan orphanage. paper also encourages its readers to have open hearts and minds in the process A worship CD without the platitudes 24 of discerning God’s will. National correspondent Aaron Epp gives Devotion, the latest recording Let us hold fast to the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who has promised is faithful. And let us consider how to provoke one another to love and by Steve Bell, two thumbs up. good deeds, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day approaching (Hebrews 10:23-25, Regular features: NRSV). Readers write 9 Milestones 14 Pontius’ Puddle 14 Yellow Pages 28 Calendar 30 For discussion 30 Classifieds 31 Board of Directors (by appointing body): MC Canada: Aiden S. Enns, Ed Janzen, John Goossen, Paul Krahn; MC B.C.: Hyphenated-Anabaptists 2 Henry Neufeld; MC Alberta: Doris Daley Haysom; MC Saskatchewan: Joe Tim Miller Dyck Neufeld; MC Manitoba: Al Friesen; MC Eastern Canada: Larry Cornies; Elected by CMPS: Margaret Ewen Peters, Joanna Reesor-McDowell, Tobi Thiessen Give-away love 10 Board Chair: Larry Cornies, [email protected], 519-854-9204 Melissa Miller Head Office Staff: A model of generosity 11 Tim Miller Dyck, Editor/Publisher, [email protected] Dori Zerbe Cornelsen Ross W. Muir, Managing Editor, [email protected] Barb Draper, Editorial Assistant, [email protected] Becoming partners with God 12 Dan Johnson, Graphic Designer, [email protected] Karen Martens Zimmerly Lisa Jacky, Circulation/Finance, [email protected] Advertising: Karen Suderman, [email protected], toll-free voice New blog postings mail: 1-800-378-2524 ext. 224, home office: 519-745-4507 at canadianmennonite.org/blog/ Correspondents: Aaron Epp, National Correspondent, [email protected], 204-885-2565 Listening: Rebecca Janzen ext. 259; Amy Dueckman, B.C. Correspondent, [email protected], Remembering: Cheryl Woelk 604-854-3735; Donita Wiebe-Neufeld, Alberta Correspondent, ab@canadian- Good Will Hunting on relationships: mennonite.org, 780-436-3431; Karin Fehderau, Saskatchewan Correspondent, David Driedger [email protected], 306-933-4209; Evelyn Rempel Petkau, Manitoba Eugenio, Adolph and Joseph: Correspondent, [email protected], 204-745-2208; Dave Rogalsky, Will Loewen Eastern Canada Correspondent, [email protected], 519-579-7258 In Their Own Words Why I am a Mennonite Welcoming newcomers into our churches is something we all want to do well. This issue’s feature presents the stories of five people who chose to become Mennonites as adults. Find out what drew them in and keeps them engaged. With open mind and arms Sally and Les Warkentin

e came to the Waterloo Region of Ontario in October 2005, arriving from England, where we had lived for the first 12 years of our marriage. Sally was from Georgia, reared, like Herman Melville, “in the infallible Presbyterian Church.” Les had a Reform Church upbringing in Yorkshire, England, but during a 20-year career in the Royal Air Force he began to attend an Anglican church. As a couple living in England we continued Church of England involvement, believing the dwindling numbers at village churches needed all the help we could give. Neither of us is heavily into doctrine, Although we are not prone to but we believe in service where we are. making doctrine a goal, we enjoyed In Canada, we decided to visit other denominations with an open mind before choosing a church home. One the class and learning more of our first visits was to Bloomingdale (Ont.) Mennonite about Mennonites in general. Church on a snowy January day in early 2006, the begin- ning of the congregation’s 200th anniversary celebrations. That first day we saw Yoch and Maria Snyder come into the building by different doors and tell about their long journey from Pennsylvania. We were warmly welcomed both going in to worship and afterwards. Curious and encouraged, we decided to go again. We appreciated the warm greetings we received and a visit from the pastor, Mary Mae Schwartzentruber, after we had attended three times. We were told that if we would like, there would be a “friendship couple” to help us integrate. We became fast friends with Paul and Canadian Mennonite November 24, 2008 5

Photo courtesy of Sally and Les Warkentin

Martha Snyder, but other “join” the Church of members of the congrega- England, in spite of being tion were in touch as well. very active in it, we decided Within six weeks, we after a year to go through were asked to help on one a Mennonite membership of the many committees class. Although we are not set up for the year-long an- prone to making doctrine niversary celebrations. We a goal, we enjoyed the class had done work with family and learning more about histories, so it was natural Mennonites in general. The to ask us to help with the Snyders attended the class history book being written with us, and all the others during the year. Because considering membership Sally has written a book had friendship partners about storytelling, she was asked to help Golden Compass movie (“Warring for as well. This tactic made for a lively class. with a class on sharing faith stories. the minds of our children,” Jan. 7, page Discussion was free and all points of view We felt we were included as one of the 30), he wrote that the film is an opportu- were accepted non-judgmentally. family right away, and being here for the nity to talk to children about the church, We joined on Easter Sunday 2007, 200th anniversary helped us get to know admitting its flaws, but “stating clearly requesting to be baptized again, although both the living members of the family that [Mennonites] support free think- we had both been baptized as children. and those who have crossed the “Great ing, truth-seeking and working hard to We had not been made to feel our first Divide.” That first year was a thrilling make our world a more just and peace- baptisms were faulty, but we wanted the time-travel trip. ful place.” We have found all three of his baptism to symbolize our new life togeth- An article in Canadian Mennonite points to be plentifully demonstrated in er as Mennonites. We feel privileged and summed up what attracted us to the lar- Mennonite activities locally, nationally blessed to be with Mennonites and to ger Mennonite community, “the church,” and around the world. be Mennonites on this part of our faith if you will. In Vic Thiessen’s review of The Although we had never felt we could journey. l 6 Canadian Mennonite November 24, 2008

un-jaded eyes what it means to serve and to work for peace. I am neither naïve nor I’m an MBC cynical, just grateful to be in a church, which, despite its flaws, welcomes me for Doris Daley Haysom who I am and the journey I’m on. I appre- ciate every manifestation of Mennonite make my living as a cowboy poet and for those who didn’t already know) for a faith, Mennonite humour and Mennonite I am from the MBC Conference. two-year voluntary service term. At that culture because I had plenty of time to I Often my conference member- time, more than a quarter of MCCers live in a non-Mennonite world and I like ship comes up in a scenario like this: I were non-Mennonites. We were a motley this one better. have just finished a show in a theatre or crew: Anglicans, community hall, and likely made a witty Methodists, remark about Mennonite food or my Baptists, Alliance I had plenty of time to live in a non- favourite Mennonite cowboy poet, Corny and many others Mennonite world and I like this one better. Reimer. Later, a well-intentioned by- who were attracted stander says, “I heard you say that you’re to the work and a Mennonite. I know some Mennonites committed to its motto, “Service in the I’m not the least bit offended when fam- in Burns Lake (or Winkler or Tofield name of Christ.” ilies play the Mennonite Game. I only look or Fresno, take your pick.) Wonderful I took a risk with MCC—Who the heck on with envy and say to myself, I hope you people! Now are you a Conference were these people?—and thank goodness know how lucky you are! And besides, as Mennonite? Or Brethren?” they took a risk on me. As it turns out, it turns out, I have a dear friend at church That is when I explain that I’m from the I found my tribe of people. Two years who shared a room with my English great MBC Conference. Sometimes my new of voluntary service stretched into four, grandmother in Major, Sask., when she friend nods sagely, sometimes he looks and eventually I worked with MCC’s Ten had her appendix out as a teenager! How’s puzzled. All is revealed when I explain Thousand Villages program for just over that for playing the game? that MBC stands for “Mennonite By 16 years. I returned to Alberta and joined Praise God for my chosen church Choice.” a Mennonite church. Don’t ask me which family. Individually and collectively, When you’re from the MBC conference. I think we are, or were, GC. they have taught me about peace, living Conference, it takes a long There are likely many simply, working together, serving others, time to figure out answers advantages to being an worshiping through music, and laughing to the following questions: ethnic Mennonite raised and crying together. • Are you an MB from BC from the get-go in a It must be said that the ride hasn’t been or a GC from AB? Mennonite church: A without its annoyances. Surely there can • Did you attend EMC? rich heritage. A strong be no denomination on earth that has CBC? CMU? sense of identity. Faith more meetings, conferences, assemblies, • Did you work with MCC? tempered and strength- sounding boards, listening posts and • Going to MWC? ened by generations committees. We affirm and seek consen- • Do you cook with MWL? of stories. Churches sus and facilitate and reflect and process • Did you volunteer with and communities until it’s time for another conference. MDS? where pacifism and Mennonites can spend a lot of time read- • Does MCA relate to CM service are modelled. ing minutes! through MC Canada? The ability to sing the Even so, I am so grateful to be in the • Do you read CM? The MQR? FQ? trickiest of hymns in four-part harmony. MBC Conference. Without a Klassen, MWR? Gospel Herald? Understanding Low German jokes. Free Thiessen, Penner, Shantz, Good or • How did the MC/GC merger affect places to stay in Winnipeg. Learning, Giesbrecht-Schwartzentruber in sight on you? by osmosis, about faith, values, service, any branch on my family tree, I am never- • Do you prefer crumbs or batter on top sacrifice, culture and how the whole theless a Mennonite . . . By Choice. l of your plautz (fruit squares)? Mennonite world works and interacts. The alphabet soup of acronyms is just But let me share with you the advan- Doris Haysom is a member of Trinity the beginning. Don’t get me started on tages of being a Mennonite by Choice: I Mennonite Church near Calgary and conferences, associations, relationships, have no baggage. No resentment or bit- represents Mennonite Church Alberta on covenants, assemblies, gatherings or mis- terness about church rules or splits. I am the Canadian Mennonite board. To find sion boards. free to embrace all that’s good about be- out more about her cowboy poetry, visit In the mid-1980s I actually joined ing a Mennonite with no painful experi- dorisdaley.com. MCC (Mennonite Central Committee ence about what pinches. I see through Canadian Mennonite November 24, 2008 7

of B. C., where we now live—in each place, it was the Mennonite congregation At home in the that we turned to for that same sense of community. Although it’s been almost 30 years Mennonite Church since that phone call, we still see those same friends and others from that con- April Yamasaki gregation. Years after we had moved on, when we went back to worship at Peace, ’ve been part of the Mennonite community, simplicity, peace. Those were one of the founding members greeted us Church now for almost 30 years, but already things that we cared about. But warmly, and said, “Welcome home—this Ithe first part of my life was more like most of the Mennonite churches in our is still your home, you know.” That sense a patchwork quilt of different churches. area seemed very German and not really of home, that sense of community, drew When I was a child, I happily attended the place for us. But us years ago and Sunday school at a Lutheran church. As a new Mennonite continues to draw us a young teenager, I went forward in tears church? All English- today. during an altar call at a Baptist youth speaking? Yes, we The other thing rally. At the age of 15, I was baptized on were very interested! that drew us to the confession of my faith—but in an Peace Mennonite the Mennonite Anglican church that practised mainly Church in Church was what infant baptism. For a while I tried the Richmond, B.C., we understood to be Gospel Hall, where I memorized long quickly became our Anabaptist distinct- passages of Scripture. I went back to the church home. We ives. In addition Baptist church for a time, since it had a were even counted to community, we very active youth group. At the age of among the founding members, and we understood those to be discipleship, 21, my husband and I were married in put down roots in a way that we had not simplicity and peace. the Baptist church, but we also attended done before. It was the place where I Long before it became fashionable the United church, which was his family led my first Bible study, taught my first to be green, I’d been influenced by the background. We tried the Plymouth Sunday school class, led my first worship small-is-beautiful economics of E.F. Brethren, the Alliance and others that I service, preached my first sermon. It was Schumacher, who wrote in the 1970s no longer even remember. the place and the people who encouraged when there was another energy crisis. Some might say all of that was an me in my writing, who encouraged my We deliberately sold our car in favour of extended exercise in church shopping, or husband in his studies and in his area of public transit and our own feet. We didn’t even church hopping, but as I look back teaching. Our pilgrimage was no longer own a television. We tried to limit our tax dollars to the It was the place where I led my first Bible study, military by keeping our income close to the poverty line—which was pretty easy taught my first Sunday school class, led my first since we were both students at the time. worship service, preached my first sermon. For us, these were all attempts to follow Jesus in our daily lives. I think of it more as a pilgrimage. During from church to church, but a pilgrim- Not everyone was doing exactly those that time, I didn’t have the language age of deeper relationship with the same things in the Mennonite Church to describe it, but what we were really Mennonite Church. then or even now—and we ourselves doing—longing for, looking for—was a But why Mennonite? There are many have changed considerably—but we church home. And in that sense it was a good Christian churches where two or found enough of a connection be- pilgrimage, a sacred journey to a sacred three or more are gathered in the name tween the life we were trying to live as place. of Jesus. As I look back, there were two Christians and the discipleship, sim- One day in the midst of this journey, a things in particular that drew me to the plicity, peace, and community of the close friend called and said, “We’re start- Mennonite Church. One was the invita- Mennonite Church. l ing a new Mennonite church, and it’s go- tion of our friends, and the community it ing to be all English. Are you interested?” led to. That sense of community This talk was from her address at MC Gary and I already knew a bit about was so strong, that even when we left Canada/MC USA Summit, “Challenge at Mennonites. We appreciated the Peace Mennonite Church and moved to the crossroads: Following Jesus,” on July 9. Mennonite concept of discipleship; of fol- Elkhart, Ind., and then to Richmond, Va., lowing Jesus in daily life; its emphasis on and then back again to the Fraser Valley 8 Canadian Mennonite November 24, 2008

only a two-year service opportunity, I Viewpoints stayed in Cameroon for five years and Finding true those five years were fundamental to my Christian journey. I was re-baptized in a rural Baptist church in Cameroon and Anabaptism for the first five years of my Christian life I walked alongside the poor and they Stefan Cherry taught me how to be a disciple of Jesus. After my five years in Cameroon, I herry is not a citizenship when the U.S. returned to North America to do a mas- very common began bombing Iraq in ters degree at a university in New York. CMennonite name. 2003.) I began looking for a Baptist church, but My mother hails from In 1991, I went to it just didn’t work for me. I was coming Montreal, where her ances- Cameroon with the Peace from an African context and maybe they tors on both sides go back Corps with a program to were a little too liberal for me. They were to two of the first 10 families introduce agri-forestry—to keen on justice issues, but they didn’t that made up the village of integrate tree-planting and seem comfortable acknowledging Jesus Montreal. My father’s roots sustainable agriculture with as Lord. And so I checked out another go back to Seaforth, Ont., traditional farming. My per- church, an evangelical one. That church and his family is a mix of sonal objective at the time was very keen on the Bible and Jesus as English, Irish and Scottish. was to save the rain forest, as Lord and Saviour, but when I talked to My mother was French- I was a hard-core environ- the pastor, asking about justice ministries Canadian and so she was Catholic. Like mentalist. I didn’t know that God had a or peace issues, he said they didn’t have all French-Canadians born before the different plan and God ended up saving time for that. I found in North America 1980s, I also was raised Catholic. me instead. that the church was divided: some people I like to think of myself as a true Three months after I arrived in were very keen on Jesus and the Bible, Anabaptist, though. At the time of the Cameroon, I had an incredibly powerful and other people were very keen on Reformation, everybody was Catholic, conversion experience. I was living in a peace and justice, but I couldn’t find the but when the Holy Spirit came upon the rural village, the only white person for two together. And then I came upon a Anabaptists he transformed them, giving miles and miles, and one morning, after Mennonite house fellowship. them a different understanding of what a very strange dream the night before, I The Mennonite Church has an incred- it meant to be a follower of Jesus Christ, picked up a copy of the New Testament ible gift for the world and I have received and what it meant to be the church here that a friend’s on earth. Because of the work of the Holy mother had The Mennonite Church has an incredible gift Spirit and Scripture, these people made a given me as a personal decision to follow Jesus. Christmas gift for the world and I have received that gift. That’s a bit like what happened to years earlier. I me and so I consider myself a true flipped it open to Luke 2, the Christmas that gift. I found a community of believ- Anabaptist. I was raised in the Catholic story, and I started reading. The only ers who struggle, not perfectly, but they Church, but I was not very interested in way I can describe it is that the scales struggle to hold the two things in tension. the church. My parents separated and got fell off my eyes and I was filled with the They take Jesus at his word, acknowledg- divorced when I was 10, and after that I Holy Spirit. For the first time in my life, ing him as Lord, but also seek justice completely left the church. Through my I understood that Jesus came to provide and peace. These were things that I was pre-teen and teen years I drifted farther us with a gift so that we could have peace craving and I found them within the and farther away from God. I started and a relationship with the creator of the Mennonite context. l abusing alcohol and drugs, and yet, universe. somehow, I knew God was still working The only way to explain it is that I This article is based on a May 18 sermon in my life. After I finished university, I was born again. I had a new spirit in he preached at Steinmann Mennonite chose to join the Peace Corps, a secular me and my life changed drastically; Church, Baden, Ont. Cherry, his wife, volunteer organization. (At that time I I was transformed. I stopped abus- Pascale, and their new baby have recently had dual Canadian and American cit- ing drugs and I started living for God. moved to Ottawa, where they are planting izenship, but I renounced my American Although the Peace Corps is normally a multicultural Mennonite church.

See “For discussion” questions on page 30. Canadian Mennonite November 24, 2008 9

Viewpoints oneness, a unity and an intimacy like no other. In the Garden of Eden, Adam and Eve had that kind of rela- ΛΛReaders write tionship with God. But then came the Fall. After that, sex became a weapon. We welcome your comments and publish most letters sent In John 15:1-17, Jesus says he is the vine and his fol- by subscribers intended for publication. Respecting our lowers are the branches. Now, as followers of Christ, theology of the priesthood of all believers and of the im- why are some people being defensive and ready to portance of the faith community discernment process, this pounce on anyone who suggests a negative comment section is a largely open forum for the sharing of views. about alternative sexual lifestyles? Letters are the opinion of the writer only—publication If we dig a little deeper into the Bible, it has much does not mean endorsement by the magazine or the church. to say about sex. From cover to cover, I read of the Letters should be brief and address issues rather than holiness, oneness and unity between a married man individuals. and woman. All other kinds of sex are wrong. Among Please send letters to be considered for publication to them are adultery, incest, bestiality, sodomy, prostitu- [email protected] or by postal mail or fax, tion, lust (pornography, leering), sex before marriage, marked “Attn: Readers Write” (our address is on page 3). debauchery and orgies. Letters should include the author’s contact information But God is a God of reconciliation (II Corinthians and mailing address. Letters are edited for length, style 5:17-21). That is why he sent Jesus his son to die on and adherence to editorial guidelines. the cross for us. Jesus wants to be our saviour, lord and king, so that we can again have that relationship with EE A Funk responds to what’s in a name God that Adam and Eve had in the Garden. This is what we all long for. Re: “What’s in a name? A lot if it’s Funk!” letter, Agatha Rempel, Steinbach, Man. Sept. 29, page 8. My name is also John Funk. We came to Canada in 1923 from Russia (now Ukraine). My father Johan J. EE Are Mennonites in a position to Funk left us children a reference to our origin. He wrote: judge Israeli actions in Middle East? “The Funk family originated in Switzerland. When, in 1523, the Reformation started, the Rebaptizers Re: “Mennonite agencies charged with bias (later called Mennonites) did not agree with Zwingli against Israel,” Oct. 13, page 8. and split from him. In 1525, the first Mennonite The letter struck me as remarkably respectful, given church was founded. Soon after, the persecution their personal stake in the issue. While it was bluntly started, and our family and many others had to leave critical of what Rabbi Yitzchok Adlerstein and Lou Switzerland. Our family fled to Mamel by Germany. Adler perceive to be Mennonite bias, it also communi- In 1793, my great great grandfather Johann Funk and cated respect for the Historic Peace Churches and others moved away to Litowen by Germany to Russia, affirmed Mennonite “real hands-on projects that bring and settled in the village of Alt-Kronswiede by the Israelis and Palestinians together.” river the Dneper in the Province of Ekaterinaslow.” The usual reaction to criticism is to respond in My grandfather Jacob Funk’s cousin immigrated kind, and challenge the claims. However, the tone of to Canada in the 1870s and settled in southern their letter invites us, I think, to suspend that initial Manitoba. He was elected into the ministry as a young response and engage in a little introspection. I offer man and later became an elder. In time, he wanted to the following: start a Sunday school with the children. The church Do we as Mennonites truly appreciate the gravity was against it, so he and his faction split off the main and ongoing reality of anti-Semitism? Jews can point body. Since he lived in the village called “Summer Felt,” to 2,000 years of history to argue that as long as they consequently they are known as “Summerfelder.” live as minorities among nations of non-Jews, they John T. Funk, Coaldale, Alta. will always be at the mercy of the majority. Has that changed? Isn’t it still the case that all Jewish parents live with the knowledge that their children, wher- EE Only sex between a man and ever and whenever they may live, may be a target of woman within marriage is holy ideologically motivated violence? How should the Mennonite Church relate to the Jewish community in What is with all this talk of homosexuals and les- light of that reality? bians wanting to be behind the pulpit? Mennonites view their developing relationships with As anyone who has had sex knows, there can be a Palestinians and Iranians as a natural working out of 10 Canadian Mennonite November 24, 2008

the ministry of reconciliation. However, let’s not forget side to cross over to the Israeli side to kill Jews. Are we that it is always difficult to speak the hard truths to one’s prepared to judge between those alternatives? How do friends. Have we spoken—or are we able to speak—the we weigh the costs? Is it our place to do so? necessary truths about anti-Semitism to our friends in Adlerstein and Adler urge Mennonites to seek a those places where hatred of Jews/Zionism/Israel is ac- more truly neutral position. I am not sure that neutral- cepted and endemic? Is it possible to clearly distinguish ity is the right term for those who confess the extrava- hatred of Jews from hatred of Zionism/Israel, or does gant love of God for all nations. On the other hand, hatred inevitably ignore those lines? living in obedience to the promise of that divine love It is so tempting, when faced with the suffering and to the Jewish community, as well as Palestinians and injustice in Palestine/Israel, to immediately advocate Iranians, may be a greater challenge than neutrality. particular political solutions, but then they can cut in In Mennonite Church Eastern Canada, baptismal several directions. The infamous wall built by Israel, candidates and their congregations pledge to give and for example, has resulted in humiliation and severe receive counsel. Could it be God’s will for that ethos hardship for Palestinians, and may be a “land grab.” to inform relations among the religions of the Book as Removal of the wall, on the other hand, would plaus- well? ibly permit a hate-filled person from the Palestinian Russel Snyder-Penner, Waterloo, Ont.

Family Ties

many of us to box stores or shopping malls to buy items to give away as expres- Give-away love sions of our love or our ties with family members and friends. Recalling my aunt’s Melissa Miller hoarding, I wonder about letting go of ne of my great-aunts, so the same kind of mess for my survivors. This something as a gift. What about letting story goes, had a creative ap- resolve strengthens me when I take on a go of something that harms a loved one Oproach to “resource manage- challenging closet or a box of long-held or a relationship? What about letting ment.” She belonged to the West Virginia “treasures.” go of an ancient grudge or demanding clan, the lineage of my paternal grand- The resolve, fortunately, was present expectations? What about letting go of mother, folks who lived in the hills and recently when I let go of a particular item, addictions to work or possessions? What hollows of the northern part of the state. a scrapbook of mementos marking my about letting go of self-centredness or Apparently, this aunt had such difficulty transition from adolescence to adult- a long, cool silence? Imagine how these throwing things away that she elected not hood—photos, cards, ticket stubs and a gifts would shine tucked into stockings or to; instead, as her small shack-like home filled with newspapers, dish- Given the season, we may be more preoccupied ware and clothing, she simply built on new rooms, creating more space with acquiring than with letting go. for her stuff. After she died, the rela- tives who cleaned out the astoundingly host of other bits and pieces, symbols of spilling out from under the tree. cluttered home marvelled at the mostly people and places from a time long gone. I In Jesus, God offered a give-away love, useless collection she’d preserved. slowly turned the pages, looking, remem- a love that pours itself out for others in When I survey any of the clutter spots bering, smiling, letting go. I saved just two waves of goodness and wholeness. As we that lurk in the corners of my home, I things: a Thanksgiving poem I wrote when receive this love gift from God, we are might think of my departed aunt and I was 16 (which I humbly confess I still invited to let go of all that restricts and wonder how much of her legacy lives on think is pretty good), and a heart-tugging damages our love relationships. This sea- in me. I, too, have difficulty letting go of letter from my dad that etched some of the son, what might we give away, or release, stuff—dishes, clothing, blankets, bags, painfully delicate ground we travelled. All as an expression of our love? medicines (those expiry dates don’t really the rest I released when I closed the dusty mean anything, do they?), plants, me- frayed scrapbook and put it carefully in Melissa Miller ([email protected]) lives mentos, and especially things involving the trash. in Winnipeg, where she ponders family paper. I might need it someday! But with Given the season, we may be more pre- relationships as a pastor at Springstein my aunt’s habit as a cautionary backdrop, occupied with acquiring than with letting Mennonite Church, a counsellor and an I regularly resolve not to leave behind the go. The gift-giving of Christmas drives author. Canadian Mennonite November 24, 2008 11

EE Mennonites should not stay Everywhere in Israel there were signs of the pride that silent on Middle East conflict people took in their strengths: their roads, industries and homes. Rabbi Yitzchok Adlerstein and Lou Adler But there was more to see. Soldiers stood on many accuse Mennonite leaders of unfair, unbalanced and street corners and at each tourist site; young men and hostile reporting of the Israeli/Palestinian conflict women carried machine guns that looked ready for (“Mennonite agencies charged with bias against Israel,” use. Huge concrete walls and checkpoints sprang up Oct. 13, page 8). After a recent trip to Israel and a beside roads and around villages. short stay in the West Bank, I must declare that I My heart was heavy for both sides; the heavily strongly disagree with them. armed Israelis and the stone-throwing Palestinians. In my enthralling trip to the “Holy Land” I was The people we met in Ramallah in the West Bank elated to walk where the prophets of old walked, to expressed their frustration, dismay and anger at the sit where Jesus taught and tread where God’s na- situation where they are controlled by Israelis oc- tion worked to fulfill the mandate to be his people. cupying their territories, controlling their roads and

God, Money and Me

discernment. A model of generosity Third, Edwin was generous with his respect. It is an understatement Dori Zerbe Cornelsen to say that he did not claim to be an expert, even with all of the experience he t Mennonite Foundation of gracious when I showed up at his door. It brought to his work at the Foundation. Canada (MFC) we are mourn- was also apparent that Edwin spent qual- He was always genuinely collaborative Aing the loss of our colleague and ity time with clients and donors, some- and sought out the wisdom of others good friend, Edwin Friesen, who passed times bending his own schedule to make with whom he worked. Very early in my away on Oct. 23. Edwin worked with the in-person meetings possible. Edwin tenure with MFC, he invited me to be Foundation for 13 years as a steward- valued each individual, couple or group a co-presenter with him for a class at ship consultant, giving shape to that role he met, and worked diligently to assist Steinbach (Man.) Bible College. He was within the organization. While he was them with whatever issues they raised, clear that he expected me to help shape based in the Winnipeg office, Edwin investing his time with them. the presentation, even though I still had worked with clients and congregations Second, Edwin was generous with so much to learn. His confidence in me throughout Manitoba and Saskatchewan, his insights. He was passionate about was humbling. nurturing relationships wher- ever he went. Edwin valued each individual, couple or group I had the special privilege of having Edwin as a mentor he met, . . . investing his time with them. in this first year of my work with MFC. He was a patient ongoing learning and discovery, espe- Who are the people you can name that teacher who led by example. In his life cially when it came to connecting faith have modelled generosity for you? The and work Edwin demonstrated the kind and everyday life. He was not afraid to stories of people that we remember and of generosity that he encouraged in the test his ideas and often engaged us in repeat are the stories that help shape us. donors and congregations with whom he lively discussions at coffee time. Because While it has been difficult to say goodbye worked. I experienced that generosity in of his ability to put his thoughts into writ- to Edwin, he leaves behind an incredible so many ways. ing, MFC asked Edwin to take on several legacy of generosity that we will cherish. First, Edwin was generous with his writing projects exploring the spiritual time. In this past year he made himself significance of money in our daily lives. Dori Zerbe Cornelsen is a stewardship available to respond to my seemingly He put his effort and heart into resources consultant at the Winnipeg office of endless questions about what it meant such as “God, Money and Me” and First Mennonite Foundation of Canada. For to be a stewardship consultant with the Things First, a Foundation resource book. stewardship education and estate Foundation. I’m sure there were times MFC will continue to benefit for years and charitable gift planning, contact when he could have used fewer inter- to come from his willingness to share your nearest MFC office or visit ruptions in his day, but he was always what he had learned through study and mennofoundation.ca. 12 Canadian Mennonite November 24, 2008

limiting their access to places that were their homes and farmed by Palestinians. The “issue” that is alive for centuries. and hotly contested within Israel is not just an “issue” Adlerstein and Adler suggest it is only “a small for Palestinian people; it affects their everyday lives in number of hotheads in the settler population” that are the most horrible way. causing the problems for Palestinians. They also say Should Mennonites be involved in the real issue that “MCC is only the tip of the anti-Israeli iceberg of Israelis and Palestinians, or should we be neutral? that Mennonites have floated for decades.” These Should we again become silent? If Adlerstein and statements are false. Adler have personally seen the many places where First, the Israeli incursion into Palestine is wide- Israeli settlers have made incursions into traditional spread and supported by the Israeli government that Palestinian lands, and have spoken with and listened builds roads and infrastructure, and defends these to the people on both sides of this border, let them settlers. Second, Mennonites greatly admire Israel and convince us that justice is being done and that God’s pray for the return of the Hebrew homeland. They nation is being built as he would have it built. do not, however, accept or condone persistent and John Sawatzky, Winnipeg aggressive movement of Israelis into lands long owned

From Our Leaders

in the current structure, such as a deacon, Sunday school teacher or board member, Becoming partners but there are those who may be open to other meaningful ministry with a very specific focus. Consider the role you have within your local congregation or area with God church. Whom can you invite as a learn- Karen Martens Zimmerly ing partner to explore and participate in one aspect of the work to which you have oung Samuel hears an unknown various ministries. Clearly, there is a great been called? voice calling in the darkness of the need for people with a wide variety of It took Samuel and Eli more than Ynight, but only in repeated trips gifts, but how will the children, youths one encounter to realize the call of to Eli’s room for repeated conversations and adults of our congregations hear the God. Being intentional about becoming does Samuel finally recognize God call- voice of God calling them? learning partners in ministry is more ing him (I Samuel 3:1-9). God then deliv- Across this land, whether in rural than a one-time task to check off on a ers bad news and Samuel is not sure that or urban contexts, there are so many “to do” list. It invites ongoing conversa- he wants to share it, yet with the coach- voices calling for our attention that the tion between the partners to reflect and ing ministry from a wise, but very human call of God can be muffled. Thankfully, ponder if God is calling you or me in this Eli, Samuel speaks honestly. Samuel continues to mature in leadership so that “none of his words fall to the It took Samuel and Eli more than one ground” (I Samuel 3:19). This leader- encounter to realize the call of God. ship is shaped by continued encoun- ters with God and recognition by the people of Israel that he is trustworthy. like Samuel we are not left alone in the ministry situation? What is God saying? The Pastoral Trends Survey that discerning process! The biblical story How will we respond? Mennonite Church Canada conducted suggests that calling leaders comes from In the process of working and learning and shared at the Winnipeg assembly a partnership that begins with God, but together we may be surprised how God this past summer reveals that 34 percent which invites human partnership with becomes present and transforms our of our 385 pastors will leave the pastor- individuals and communities of faith. ministry to face our current reality and ate for various reasons in the next three As we consider the immediate need provide the leadership we really need. to five years. At a recent gift discernment for both pastoral and lay leaders in our consultation with MC Canada and MC church, I would invite us to be inten- Karen Martens Zimmerly is MC USA, leaders heard that local churches tional about becoming “learning partners” Canada’s denominational minister and are finding it more and more challenging in ministry. We may not be able to im- director of leadership development. to find individuals who will serve in their mediately find the individual to fill a role Canadian Mennonite November 24, 2008 13

EE Mennonite stand on Middle And the letter to Prime Minister Stephen Harper East shouldn’t polarize conflict (Sept. 15, page 14) seems to show the tour group’s reliance on secular humanistic (UN) solutions, rather Thank you for printing the letter from Rabbi than on Scripture and Jesus, the Prince of Peace. Yitzchok Adlerstein and Lou Adler (“Mennonite agen- Also, the selection of the picture and accompanying cies charged with bias against Israel,” Oct. 13, page 8), story of the back page of the Oct. 13 issue (“Turning raising questions about bias from Mennonites in our tanks into combines”) was an error in judgment, in my efforts to respond to the conflicts in the Middle East. view. It provided an uninformed, unfair epilogue to We need to keep the dialogue with the Jewish com- the Sept. 15 article. What about the Jewish children in munity active. Mennonites are right to be concerned Nablus who are driven to school in bullet-proof buses about the hardships and injustices suffered by the or the innocent citizens of Sderot, near Gaza, who suf- Palestinians, to challenge the assumptions of Christian fer daily rocket attacks? Zionists, and to talk to those the West deems to be It is vitally important to consider God’s words to our enemies. Yet we also need to be intentional about Abram in Genesis 12:2-3: “I will bless those who bless communicating our respect for the Jewish people you, and whoever curses you I will curse.” and our deep concern for their well-being, too. The Andrew Sawatzky, Calgary, Alta. situation is so polarized in our world that people may assume when we raise concerns about the plight of the Palestinians, we are taking a stand against the Jewish ΛΛCorrection people. The title of Steven “Reece” Friesen’s graphic novel is I am uncomfortable with Mennonites using political Pax Avalon: ConflictRevolution. It was incorrectly symbols to show support for either side, such as recent named at the beginning and end of the interview reports about a farmer flying the Palestinian flag from Friesen did with Alberta correspondent Donita his combine (“Turning tanks into combines,” Oct. Wiebe-Neufeld, “Redeeming our superheroes,” Oct. 13, page 32), and a Mennonite congregation having 27, page 30. Canadian Mennonite regrets the error. an Israeli flag in its worship sanctuary (“Christian Zionism!?” Sept. 15, page 7). These symbols do not call to mind the way of Jesus—loving people on all sides of the conflict the way that God loves them, showing grace to all parties and working tirelessly for AMBS reconciliation. Joanna Reesor-McDowell, Stouffville, Ont.

EE Scripture should be the basis Jan. 17 Lent Planner for Israeli land ownership Our lives are in your hands...

Re: “From throwing rocks to living stones,” Sept. Explore ideas for prayers, children’s time, 15, page 4. dramatic readings, and music and visual I was amazed and dismayed that no one in the tour elements for the Lent season. group was able to quote Scripture with regard to ownership of the land in question. See Genesis 26:2-5 Presenters: Rosanna McFadden, Marlene Kropf and 28:13, Psalm 105:8-11 and Ezekiel 47:13-23, and and Rebecca Slough read Joel 3:12 to see what happens to those who divide up the land. The Adlerstein/Adler response (“Mennonite agen- Hosted by the Church Leadership Center at cies charged with bias against Israel,” Oct. 13, page 8) Associated Mennonite Biblical Seminary, mirrors my thoughts. The last sentence is profoundly Elkhart Ind. For details and registration, visit insightful: “But as long as Mennonite leaders persist in www.ambs.edu/workshops or call unfair, unbalanced and hostile treatment of Israel, God 574.296.6269 will have to find himself other helpers in his continued quest for peace.” With leaders such as those quoted in the Sept. 15 articles, I fear for the spiritual safety of our Visit us online www.ambs.edu Mennonite congregations. 14 Canadian Mennonite November 24, 2008

ΛΛMilestones God at work in the World Births/Adoptions Anglican, Kitchener, Ont., Oct. 4, 2008. Enns/Klassen—Joel Enns and Becky Klassen, Altona (Man.) —Henry Adam (b. Sept. 19, 2008), to Adam and Bergen Bergthaler Mennonite, Sept. 6, 2008. Stephanie Bergen, Douglas Mennonite, Winnipeg. Freeman/Pinnell—Jared Freeman and Sarah Pinnell —Jack Martin (b. Oct. 24, 2008), to Tracey Martin and Diehl (First Mennonite, Kitchener, Ont.), at Williamsburg Chapel, Lloyd Diehl, Floradale (Ont.) Mennonite. Kitchener, Ont., Oct. 18, 2008. Driedger—Tessa Lauren (b. Oct. 4, 2008), to Kim and James Garland/Scott—Andrew Garland (Brussels [Ont.] Driedger, Grace Mennonite, Winkler, Man. Mennonite) and Julie Scott, at Fenelon Falls, Ont., Oct. 18, —Crystal (b. Sept. 30, 2008), to Roshan Duyu, First Duyu 2008. Mennonite, Kitchener, Ont. Jutzi/Kimmel—Catherine Jutzi (First Mennonite, —Jody (b. July 26, 2008), to Bertha and Waldemar Harder Kitchener, Ont.) and Jeremy Kimmel, at Riversong, St. Jacobs, Harder, Steinbach (Man.) Mennonite. Ont., Sept. 13, 2008. Jantzi—Chloe (b. Aug. 17, 2008), to Tom and Sherri Jantzi, Kasdorf/Watson—Cara Kasdorf and David Watson, First Mennonite, Kitchener, Ont. Douglas Mennonite, Winnipeg, in Guelph, Ont., Oct. 10, —Alexia Nicole (b. Sept. 14, 2008), to Kauenhowen 2008. Manfred and Gloria Kauenhowen, Douglas Mennonite, Winnipeg. Deaths Krueger—Maaike (b. Aug. 31, 2008), to Jeremy and Marsha Krueger, Waterloo North Mennonite, Waterloo, Ont. Bechtel—Reta, 91 (b. Sept. 13, 1917; d. Oct. 12, 2008), First Loewen—Ruby (b. Oct. 3, 2008), to Will and Ana Loewen, Mennonite, Kitchener, Ont. Waterloo North Mennonite, Waterloo, Ont., in South Korea. Boshart—Helen, 84 (b. June 18, 1924; d. Oct. 13, 2008), Steinmann Mennonite, Baden, Ont. Baptisms Fiss—Paul, 88 (b. Feb. 19, 1920; d. Oct. 25, 2008), Leamington (Ont.) United Mennonite. Lena Epp—Nutana Park Mennonite, Saskatoon, Sask., Oct. Fransen—Henry, 79 (b. Feb. 20, 1929; d. Sept. 30, 2008), St. 26, 2008. Catharines (Ont.) United Mennonite. Frey—Marvin (b. May 10, 1949; d. Oct. 19, 2008), Waterloo Marriages North Mennonite, Waterloo, Ont. Bueckert/Dueck—Shara Bueckert (Zoar Mennonite, Harder—Ruth, 85 (b. Nov. 5, 1922; d. Aug. 27, 2008), Langham, Sask.) and Joe Dueck (Sterling Mennonite, Leamington (Ont.) United Mennonite. Winnipeg), near Langham, Aug. 31, 2008. Jutzi—Verna, 93 (b. Aug. 6, 1915; d. Oct. 20, 2008), Burkholder/White—Daniel Burkholder and Jessica White, Steinmann Mennonite, Baden, Ont. at Rouge Valley Mennonite, Markham, Ont., Nov. 8, 2008. Canadian Mennonite welcomes Milestones Clement/Willms—Bryan Clement and Amy Willms, announcements within four months of the event. Leamington (Ont.) United Mennonite, Oct. 18, 2008. Please send Milestones announcements by e-mail to Dueck/Taylor—Eric Dueck and Autumn Taylor, Grace [email protected], including the Mennonite, Winkler, Man., Oct. 11, 2008. congregation name and location. When sending death Dufton/Nipper—Sharon Dufton (First Mennonite, notices, please include birth date and last name at birth Kitchener, Ont.) and William (Bill) Nipper, at St. Andrews if available. Canadian Mennonite November 24, 2008 15

Amnesty International photo God at work in the World this one either. Craig Benjamin of Amnesty International Front Page Story visited Lubicon Lake in October. “It’s really astounding,” he says. “You hear the noise almost constantly. You smell it. Everywhere Pipeline you turn there are trees felled, these big wide roads have been cut, there are warnings for pressure oil and gas pipelines and hydrogen sulphide. . . . How is it possible that someone could go Lubicon Cree seek help out hunting when you are essentially in an in fighting government industrial landscape?” inaction, public apathy An Amnesty International report en- titled “Land and Way of Life Under Threat: By Donita Wiebe-Neufeld The Lubicon Cree in Canada,” was released Alberta Correspondent last month. It estimates that, in 30 years, claims were stayed while Alberta retro- Lubicon Lake First Nation, Alta. more than 56 square kilometres of land actively changed its laws; when the case has been cleared, 2,200 kilometres of road was reopened, it was dismissed. In 1988, and councillor Dwight Gladue’s voice built and 2,000 oil and gas wells drilled in an agreement called the Grimshaw Accord Btrembles with undercurrents of grief traditional Lubicon territory, producing was reached; however, the province did not as he describes what has happened to his resources worth more than $14 billion for follow through on it. vibrant community of Lubicon Lake First everyone but the Lubicon. The same Vue Weekly story also re- Nation in northern Alberta since the oil and Although the Lubicon and some of the ported that, “both opposition parties gas industry came 30 years ago. According oil and gas companies have worked togeth- [in the Alberta legislature] called on the to him, before 1978 the community was er—an article in the Oct. 27 Edmonton government to suspend construction of healthy and self-sufficient. But now indus- Vue Weekly reports that “TransCanada . . . the pipeline, but Minister of Aboriginal trial damage has polluted the environment, says it has already had a series of meetings Relations Gene Zwozdesky rejected such driven off wildlife, destroyed livelihoods with the Lubicon . . .” on this most recent calls, saying it is a federal responsibility to and increased disease. Over 90 percent of project—agreements with governments negotiate with the Lubicon.” the community requires social assistance. are elusive, with jurisdiction frequently lost Gladue has a clear sense of why the gov- To this day Gladue laments the lack of between provincial and federal bodies. ernments are reluctant to settle. “Because awareness of many Albertans to Lubicon Both levels of government are aware of there is a tremendous amount of resource Lake’s plight: “People don’t understand how the history, but despite many negotiations here,” he suggests. bad the situation continues to be. No matter and promises, there is no settlement, ac- At this point, the Lubicon are relying how we try to fight these oil and gas com- cording to Ed Bianchi of Kairos, a Canadian on organizations like Kairos and Amnesty panies, we’re always perceived . . . as very church-based social justice group with ties International to get their message out. hard to get along with and self-serving.” to Mennonite Central Committee. “We’ve told our stories over and over year On Oct. 10, the Alberta Utilities The Lubicon have strong legal claims after year, and people would rather believe, Commission approved an application by to their territory, Amnesty International in their own minds, what the government Nova Gas Transmissions, a TransCanada and Kairos believe. Overlooked by an puts out,” Gladue charges. “[W]e need Corporation subsidiary, to construct a ma- 1899 treaty, they never signed away land people out there to be a voice as to what’s jor gas pipeline through highly contested rights. Forty years later, a promised reserve happening to [our] entire community . . . a land. Like other projects in the past, the was never formalized. In the late 1970s, voice to both levels of government [who] Lubicon people did not give approval to court proceedings relating to Lubicon just carry on, business as usual.” l

ΛΛA short history a gardening program and community presence for MCC has supported the about a decade. An MCC presence in the community Lubicon Cree for 30 years ended in 2000, but Abe Janzen, director of MCC Al- berta, says, “MCC is involved in advocacy at the na- LUBICON LAKE FIRST NATION, ALTA.—Men- tional level, and also participates at a local level when nonite Central Committee (MCC) involvement with a community requests such involvement.” MCC is the Lubicon Cree began in the late 1970s, when vigor- currently a member of KAIROS, an ecumenical social ous oil and gas exploration was drastically changing justice organization that has spoken out against Can- the lives of the people. Menno Wiebe, former direc- ada and Alberta’s treatment of the Lubicon people. tor of the MCC native concerns portfolio, organized —By Donita Wiebe-Neufeld 16 Canadian Mennonite November 24, 2008

Food Justice Photo by Evelyn Rempel Petkau Jan McIntyre of Clearwater, Man., chairs Take and eat the Manitoba Farm and Rural Stress Line Advisory Committee, and, together with Conference focuses on her husband, farms 690 hectares. She is food issues from various concerned about the direction farming is Christian perspectives going. “It seems our current food system operates on the understanding that bigger By Evelyn Rempel Petkau is better,” she said. “High inputs, high fi- Manitoba Correspondent nancial risks, cut-throat environment—the Otterburne, Man. pressure on individual farmers is intense. Water, soil, wildlife, people, communities Cathy Campbell, rector of St. Matthews ometimes the best conversations and seem to be a lesser part of the equation.” Anglican Church in Winnipeg, and Len Sdiscussions take place around the din- “The production of food in an environ- Penner, president of Cargill, a large ner table. The recent “Take and Eat” confer- mentally responsible way is one of the agribusiness, discuss food issues at ence hosted by Providence College brought things I am confronted with at least on a the recent “Take and Eat” conference much food for thought to the table, as rep- weekly basis,” said Len Penner, president at Providence College and Seminary, resentatives from large agribusinesses, a of agribusiness Cargill Ltd. “The growing Otterburne, Man. community gardener, a neighbourhood population is the challenge. By 2050, we bakery owner and a family farmer—all of need to look at doubling what we have. We that sit with a company that professes to them Christians—reflected a diversity of need to figure out how to produce twice as be concerned about hunger?” experience and perspective. much food in 40 years.” At the other end of the business spec- From genetically modified organisms to While the No. 1 health concern in North trum, Winnipeg’s Tall Grass Prairie Bakery organic farming, from the family farm to America is obesity, close to one billion began in 1990 as the Grain of Wheat agribusiness, from the local marketplace people in other parts of the world go to Church wrestled with how to worship to the global economy, controversy was bed hungry every night, Penner pointed and support the art of farming, explained a significant ingredient in the two-day out. “Canada is a significant player in pro- Tabitha Langel, part-owner of the bakery. discussion. viding food to the world. We have been “At that time there were a lot of farm sui- “The biggest challenge in producing food blessed with some of the most productive cides and grain prices were at a record low,” is our relationship with people,” said Don land. How do we, in a truly responsible, she said, adding, “A group of us at Grain of Kroeker, vice-chair of Kroeker Farms, ex- sustainable, environmentally friendly way, Wheat felt called to respond.” plaining that people love their neighbour feed the world?” he asked. “We try to support local farmers who are when they help supply those who are hun- “The past year has seen a global food doing creation-care practices. I was raised gry with food. crisis with food riots erupting in some at the communion table,” said Langel, who But Will Braun, editor of Geez magazine parts of the world and yet Cargill, one of grew up on a Hutterite colony. “It seemed and a Canadian Mennonite columnist, ques- the three largest grain trading companies a good vision for me: ‘enough and the same tioned this rationale. “What does love your in the world, saw their profits increase at for all.’ ” neighbour mean,” he asked, when “the exist- the same time,” challenged participant Paul In conclusion, she said, “I hope that with ence of large companies like Kroeker’s drives Hagerman, asking, “How does a company the Holy Spirit something will happen if we land prices up and makes it very difficult for like Cargill look at their influence, increas- stay at the table together, big and small.” l small farmers—for me—to get a start?” ing hunger, increasing prices? How does Photo by Brenda Burkholder

Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) canners Steven Bricker, Josh Voth, Peter Reimer and Viktor Schwendich hit the road this fall for their annual meat canning effort. Between October and the end of next April the mobile meat canner will visit 13 U.S. states and two Canadian provinces. “Every time you work with volunteers it’s a dif- ferent experience,” says Reimer, the lone Canadian (from Tolstoi, Man.). “I worked with Mennonite Disaster Service before. This [canning] will challenge my leadership skills.” Canadian Mennonite November 24, 2008 17

Food Justice A really ΛΛBriefly noted Church fun fair focuses on food and justice issues COOL field WINNIPEG—Home Street Mennonite Church hosted its inaugural “Fun Food Fair” in the basement of the church on Oct. 12. Congregants browsed a variety of How one church turned displays ranging from do-it-yourself composting to garden preserves and recipes, a small budget surplus and fairly traded food from Ten Thousand Villages, that all focused on the theme, into a big harvest “Food justice and the church.” Byron Rempel-Burkholder ran the bean bonanza that combined local and international food justice issues by offering three types of beans By Steve Plenert bought in bulk directly from a local organic farmer and donating excess proceeds to Special to Canadian Mennonite a Mennonite Central Committee initiative in Bolivia that supports local bean farm- Springstein, Man. ers. The idea of the fair developed after a partnership between Winnipeg Harvest, which distributes food to the poor, and Home St. Mennonite amicably ended due to hen the Springstein Mennonite logistical issues. Congregants wondered what other ways the church could respond WChurch council met last February, to local and international food issues. The food fair was held in conjunction with members discovered that a $3,100 surplus Thanksgiving and World Communion Sunday worship services, which both focused needed to be dealt with. “Let’s do a project on the issue of food justice. with a multiplier effect,” council chair Dave —By Lucas Redekop Wiebe suggested. Little did anyone know just how much those funds would multiply over the next few months! Life,” or COOL. The council settled on a Canada On a brisk April day the seed went into 100 Mile Diet: Foodgrains Bank project and other rural the ground. The beautiful green shoots soon congregations in the area were asked made their way out of the damp ground. In to participate. At a planning meeting, May, a dedication service was held at the A year later Lutheran, Catholic and United Church field before Springstein Mennonite congre- congregations showed up. A 32-hectare gants held their church picnic. Most participants field was selected, hard spring wheat was An ecumenical worship service at- have eased up on the chosen as the crop to plant, and committee tended by more than 200 people was held restrictions, but continue members started asking around to see who at the field on Aug. 17. Hymns were sung, to believe in the concept else wanted to help out. Scripture was read, prayers of thanksgiv- Soon crop insurance and herbicides were ing were offered and messages of good will By Evelyn Rempel Petkau donated. Rent on the field was reduced. were pronounced. Many said how won- Manitoba Correspondent Equipment was volunteered. Seed was do- derful the project was and how meaning- MANITOBA nated. And a chemical company said, “We’d ful it had been to worship in a wheat field. like to give two kinds [of fertilizer] before (Unfortunately, the field wasn’t quite ready year ago, more than 100 people in anybody else takes the opportunity.” for harvesting, so the four combines lining AManitoba made a commitment to People in the communities around the field during the service were relegated eat only food grown or produced within Springstein started talking about what the to the status of “worship visuals for men.”) a 100-mile radius for 100 days. Canadian project should be called. “Food for Others” Ten days later, nine combines, a bunch Mennonite tracked down a few of those was an early favourite, but ultimately the of trucks and a cheery group of onlookers participants recently, to see how that ex- choice was “Communities Offering Others saw the 4,000 bushels of wheat get safely perience changed them and what they had thrashed in just over an hour and learned in the process. trucked to the bin. Under the 4-1 Jennifer deGroot, one of the organizers matching agreement with the of the event, says that, although not of- Canadian government, the value ficially practising the 100 Mile Diet any of the crop came in at $150,000. more, “in general, I am a 100-miler for life.” At a wrap-up meeting of the It has made for some adjustments in her COOL Committee, the local reeve family, though, like “organizing our lives so stated enthusiastically, “This proj- we have space and time. For example, not ect is the best thing that has hap- going on holidays in the harvest season.” pened by and to our community They also started eating meat during the Worship in a wheat field proved meaningful to in years!” l 100 Mile Diet. “It added variety and it was many on Aug. 17. a way to support local producers,” deGroot 18 Canadian Mennonite November 24, 2008

Food Justice

says. restaurant, we decided not often means avoiding the big grocery God at work in the Church Delilah Krahn and her part- to go with them. We missed chains. ner were very faithful to the out on some social things that Byron and Melita Rempel-Burkholder 100-mile limit during the 100- way, but we enjoyed some and their two teenage children say they day tenure. “We didn’t go to res- good potlucks with friends.” are not strictly following the 100 Mile Diet taurants, ate nothing with sugar, Although more relaxed about now, but they are continuing with some of no alcohol,” she says, “but since the rules, she and her partner the habits they acquired during that time. then we haven’t continued to the same are making a diet of locally grown and pro- “We are more aware of not just how far degree.” duced food a way of life. They continue to our food has travelled, but also how much “The hardest thing was the social aspect,” grow their own food and shop where they processing and packaging has gone into it,” Krahn admits. “If friends were going to a can source local food more easily, which says Byron. l

Photo by Elmer Heinrichs

Former Mennonite Central Committee India worker Cynthia Peacock, in sari at right, Canadian Foodgrains Bank Manitoba resource co-ordinator Harold Penner and other Canadian Foodgrains Bank staff from Winnipeg joined combine operators and truckers for a Manitoba project harvest near Winkler this fall.

travel with tourmagination 15th Mennonite to explore the world Heritage Cruise 2009 tours 2010 tours Ukraine: Sep 29 - Oct 15, 2009 panama canal adventure cruise tour (January 3-13) australia and neW zealand (February 5-25) visit mexico and its With oberammerGau passion play: The cruise will assist and copper canyon (February 27-March 8) sprinGtime in feature a special explore the World of paul holland, belGium & Germany (May 6-17) Memorial Weekend with tom yoder neufeld (April 29-May 15) lutheran holy land tour (May 8-19) israel and palestine (May 24-June 3) european heritaGe with john ruth (June 1-14) in historic Khortitsa Great treK tour 2009 (May 24-June 4) spectacular scandinavia & its fjords (June 13-28) european heritaGe tour (June 4-17) pennsylvania to europe (June 19-July 2) Odessa to Kyiv via Crimea russia and uKraine (June 5-18) israel/palestine (June 24-July 5) with alasKa cruise tour (June 8-20) european heritaGe Senior Historian Paul Toews mWc #1 / #2 / #3 / #4 / #6 - A Few Seats Available with john sharp (June 29-July 12) Architectural Historian Rudy Friesen mWc #5 - paraGuay and peru (July 12-28) italy, austria & Germany (July 7-17) Genealogist Alan Peters mWc #7 - paraGuay and iGuazu falls (July 8-20) enGland and scotland (July 23-August 4) Agronomist John Martens european heritaGe sWiss Glacier express (July 29-August 11) Guides include Olga Shmakina with john sharp (July 31-August 13) european heritaGe with paul zehr (September 5-18) and Lyudmilla Karyaka enchantinG danube river cruise the road to jerusalem (September 11-22) (October 24-November 1) european heritaGe for contact: behind the veil - experiencinG eGypt German-speaKinG persons (September 16-29) (November 16-28) Marina Unger or Jane Clemens Vision 2000 Travel, Toronto “Building bridges among Mennonites and other Christians and faiths 1-800-387-1488 ext. 2827,2243 around the world through custom-designed travel.” [email protected] http://home.ica.net/~walterunger/ Call 1-800-565-0451 for more information and to booK your tour or e-mail: [email protected] web: www.tourmagination.com Google Mennonite Heritage Cruise 9 Willow Street, Waterloo, ON N2J 1V6 Canada Reg. #50014322 2308 Wood Street, Lancaster, PA 17603 USA Canadian Mennonite November 24, 2008 19

Photo by Waltrude Gortzen God at work in the Church Called to live creatively B.C. women’s retreat draws 90

By Waltrude Gortzen Special to Canadian Mennonite Hope, B.C. Besides workshops on being creative and playing without guilt, participants at this year’s MC B.C. women’s retreat actually took some time out to play. he call to creative living” was the “Ttheme for the 2008 Mennonite Church B.C. women’s retreat at Camp “Who is drawing on my canvas?” Everyone moving communion celebration. Squeah, which attracted about 90 women who participated came away having learn- Participants agreed it was a wonderful who came to listen to Betty Spackman, a ed new things about themselves and each weekend of making new friends and meet- Christian artist, teacher and author. other. ing old ones again, a time to share their bur- In her talk on “Art and the Christian The Sunday morning worship service dens and joys with each other, and a time community,” Spackman said people are: involved sharing and singing, and a very for prayer and renewal. l • Called to be co-creators with the Creator; and The Mennonite photo by Anna Groff • Created in the image of the Creator and, therefore, have the responsibility to be creative through the gifts God has given them. As Christians, Spackman said the big- gest stumbling blocks are fear and the false belief of having to be modest. Christian women should let the love of creativity overcome their fears and learn to enjoy their creative gifts. “It does not matter what others say or think. If we know that God loves us, we will do what he has called us to do. No matter where or what!” she said. In her presentation on “Creative work and play,” she said women don’t feel safe to go out and play—and be creative—but when they do, they are rewarded with a feeling of well-being and happiness. “Playing can be a difficult and dangerous Laura Epp of Saskatoon, Sask., left, Shanda Hochstetler of Portland, Ore., leap of faith for many Christians who de- and Amanda Gross of Atlanta attended the recent binational Young Adult sire to ‘tell the truth’ with their hearts and Fellowship retreat in Keezletown, Va. Instead of having a keynote speaker, this God-given gifts and talents,” she acknow- year the participants set about naming their top concerns: inclusiveness (how ledged, adding, “How sad that we seem to allow the gift of imagination only to chil- to welcome new religions, ethnicities and sexual orientations into congrega- dren.” Referencing I Corinthians 1:26-28, tions); being able to disagree well; how to deal with “quarter-life crisis” (de- she said, “The enemy will try to steal your fined at quarterlifecrisis.com as “a period of anxiety, uncertainty and inner gift, but he can’t get at them if you have turmoil that often accompanies the transition to adulthood”); and using the given them to God, the Creator.” earth’s resources well. Heidi Epp facilitated a workshop called 20 Canadian Mennonite November 24, 2008

Charleswood Mennonite Church photo almost despite themselves. ‘A miracle Pastor John Braun said—with translation into Korean by associate pastor Heemyeong Kang—he some- of history’ times thought about this “special rela- tionship” that has developed in terms Charleswood Mennonite of the ancient past. “Koreans,” he said, “may have some ancestry with the an- Church celebrates a decade cient Huns. Mennonites of European of Korean ministry background have a Barbarian heri- Members of the Korean Mennonite tage going back a few thousand years. Fellowship of Canada are pictured with By Leona Dueck Penner Charleswood Mennonite Church Release The Huns and the Barbarians tried Tim Froese, executive director of MC Winnipeg to destroy each other around the 4th Canada International Ministries, left, prior century . . . . It’s a miracle of history to the 10th anniversary celebrations at now, in my estimation, that for the Charleswood Mennonite Church, Winnipeg, harleswood Mennonite Church last 10 years or more in our small cor- this past summer. Ccelebrated the 10th anniversary of a ner of the world in Winnipeg, that the Korean presence in the congregation and descendents of Huns and Barbarians wor- blessing we have been offered by you. . . . I the subsequent formation of a bicultural ship the Prince of Peace together. I believe hope and pray that we Koreans may con- congregation, this past summer. that God is at work among us.” tinue to grow in Christ, observing, learning As various Korean- and English-speaking Hun Lee, the first Korean pastor at and participating in the church life here people gathered from across Canada to Charleswood, spoke about the Korean together, so that we too may be a mature share the story and reflect on how this concept of 정성, roughly translated as fellowship with time and care.” coming together of two distinct cultures “time and care,” which is necessary for From a small group of Koreans con- had come to pass, and how it continues to raising children, honouring parents and sisting of six families, the group now con- unfold within the congregation and within welcoming visitors. “Our Lord Jesus raised sists of a network of 83 families and 274 the wider world today, there was a growing his disciples with time and care,” he said, people, some in Winnipeg and others who sense of awe and joy over what the unify- linking it to what Koreans experienced at are now scattered around the world. ing Spirit of God had done among them Charleswood. “I give thanks to God for the “I believe that these people are all fruits of our congregation and our mis- Photo courtesy of Jonathan Emerson-Pierce sion, and also that they are grow- ing as seeds grow into plants in the kingdom of God,” said Hwang “I really felt connected to everyone this Lee, a deacon at Charleswood. morning. It didn’t seem to matter that “This means our mission is to we came from different backgrounds. keep expanding and reaching We really felt like one church.” This out to the world, to the ends of was one of many similar comments by the earth. . . . May God’s love and congregants at Hagerman Mennonite encouragement continue on this beautiful mission in the name of Church, Markham, Ont., on World Jesus!” Communion Sunday, Oct. 5. Hagerman’s The celebratory service in- regular members were joined by others cluded some spirited singing by from Markham Chinese Mennonite the Korean group and concluded and the Markham Christian Family with a Korean fellowship lunch Worship Centre, a predominantly Tamil served to a packed house. l congregation seeking membership with Mennonite Church Canada. Bryan The release is based on longer articles that appeared in the Moyer Suderman provided special music Summer 2008 Charleswood and Albert Jebanayagam, a visiting Mennonite Church e-zine, The Sri Lankan pastor (pictured standing), Grapevine. preached the sermon. Canadian Mennonite November 24, 2008 21

Photo by Karin Fehderau Something for everyone at Equipping Day By Karin Fehderau Saskatchewan Correspondent Saskatoon, Sask.

or everyone who has ever felt inadequate the country and around the Fin their role at church, the Mennonite province, covering topics on Church Saskatchewan Equipping Day was children and worship, the a good place to find answers. The annual church’s response to home- event for church leaders of all descrip- lessness, technology in the tions took place on Oct. 25 at Mount Royal church, building friendships Mennonite singer/songwriter Brian Moyer Suderman Mennonite Church in Saskatoon. in aboriginal communities, speaks about children and worship at the MC and talking on sensitive Saskatchewan Equipping Day. ‘I tend not to structure a topics. Brian Moyer Suderman sat on a bench the service takes care of their needs, while particular children’s time.’ strumming his guitar as he invited discus- the rest of the service is for the adults. He (Brian Moyer Suderman) sion on children in worship. suggested trying to keep children engaged “How do we make the service more in all aspects of a worship service, using as A day filled with workshops and worship child-friendly,” wondered Anna Rehan, many opportunities as possible to teach seemed like a good place to get recharged for MC Saskatchewan youth minister. them about faith and worship. l the new fall schedule and people attending “I tend not to structure a particular chil- the day received their share of inspiration dren’s time,” answered Suderman, dismiss- and direction. Speakers came from across ing the idea that having a children’s time in

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Our client, The Bethania Group, is a faith based consortium of individual housing and care home Invitation to comment on AMBS sites and services for seniors in Winnipeg. ssociated Mennonite Biblical Seminary is seeking comments Reporting to the Board of Directors, The Chief Executive Officer will provide guidance and di- Aabout the seminary in preparation for its periodic evaluation by rection to the Board. The CEO manages the en- its accrediting agency. AMBS will have a comprehensive evaluation terprise risk and is able to interact with all levels of programs Feb. 16–18, 2009, by a team representing The Higher within the organization as well as with its key stakeholders while providing thoughtful advo- Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges cacy of the standards of physical, emotional and and Schools. AMBS has been accredited by the Commission since spiritual care required by residents. 1974. Its accreditation is at the Master’s degree level. The successful candidate will have a minimum of 5 years experience as a senior leader within You are invited to submit comments about AMBS to: a complex organization where relationship Public Comment on Associated Mennonite Biblical Seminary building is at the forefront. You have a solid The Higher Learning Commission track record of executive accomplishments demonstrating your ability to take your orga- 30 North LaSalle Street, Suite 2400 nization to the next level. You are an excellent Chicago, IL 60602 communicator and are comfortable as the face and voice of the organization. Comments must address substantive matters related to A post graduate degree in business or healthcare the quality of AMBS or its academic programs. Written, signed administration, or an equivalent combination of comments must be received by January 15, 2009. education and experience is required. Experience Comments should include the in a healthcare environment would be beneficial. name, address and telephone Send your resume: [email protected] number of the person Contact Paul Croteau, Managing Partner providing the comments. AMBS Legacy Executive Search Partners 301-161 Portage Ave East Elkhart, Indiana Winnipeg, MB R3B 2L6 www.ambs.edu Tel: (204) 943-0553. Fax: 204 957 5384 22 Canadian Mennonite November 24, 2008

God at work in Us more to this event than simply a bike race, he said. Dad has been a supporter of Mully A personal Children’s Family (MCF), a dynamic street rescue orphanage in Kenya, for the past three years. This event was a fund- odyssey raiser for MCF, and the jersey Dad wore proudly displayed the logo of the orphan- Cyclist endures rigours of age which has saved over a thousand lives biking across America in and souls, as founder Charles Mulli has support of a Kenyan orphanage pulled them from poverty and given them food, shelter, education, love, and hope, Story and photos with the help of a loving God—a God my by Paul Loewen father loves to serve. l Special to Canadian Mennonite Winnipeg Originally published in a longer format by Dad would drink nearly two litres of water Breakaway magazine. Paul Loewen and xtreme. That’s what I’d call it. But every hour and struggle severely with eat- his wife Jeanette are junior youth pastors Ethat word barely begins to scratch the ing. He soon discovered that, apart from at Douglas Mennonite Church, Winnipeg. surface. It’s called Race Across AMerica his regular sports drinks, the only food Visit Arvid Loewen at his website (RAAM), and it’s known as the world’s that would slide down his throat was (spokeimpact.com). toughest bike race. Four thousand eight greasy KFC. That and McDonald’s Big hundred kilometres from Oceanside, Calif., Macs and milkshakes became common to Annapolis, Md. Over 30,500 metres of over the next week. climbing (the equivalent of scaling Mount After 10 days on the bike, having had Everest three-and-a-half times). And all in only a couple hours of sleep each night, less than 12 days. Dad was nearing the East Coast of the I was part of the crew for my father, USA; we were sure we could smell the salt Arvid Loewen, who wanted to test the hu- in the air. Determination born of years of man limits of his physical, mental, emo- experience shone through as he put his tional and spiritual endurance this past “race face” on and literally attacked the summer. It meant staying awake when his Appalachian Mountains. He set a blaz- body wanted to fall asleep—even while on ing pace through some of the steepest the bike. It meant riding around 20 hours climbs of the entire trip, outdistancing a day just to make it to the finish line. The the competition in his age category (50- clock never stops. Everything the riders 59) and passing three riders on the way to do is part of their time, eating and sleep- the finish line. He fought through that last ing included. night with only half-hour naps to keep RAAM is not known as the world’s him awake on the bike. toughest bike race without reason. During Finally, after an accumulated time of 11 the heat of the day in the California desert, days 3 hours 19 minutes, Dad pulled up to the pier in Annapolis. Tenth out of 25 riders—and first in his age category—he had done phe- nomenally better than he had ever hoped for. As a finisher of RAAM, he received a jersey, a medal and the chance to stand up on the podium and speak about the race. The passion and excitement shone through his weary face as he held the microphone in one hand and kept his bike steady with the other. There was much Canadian Mennonite November 24, 2008 23

Photo Courtesy of Jerry Buhler Personal Profile “The biggest gift Jerry provided at our retreat for new pastors was to create a space for conversation,” says Lois Siemens, A pastor pastor of Superb Mennonite Church. “It is difficult to find ways to provide places for pastors to connect with each other.” of pastors A similar idea was spawned when Buhler noticed the startlingly high number of pas- Saskatchewan conference toral husband-and-wife teams in the prov- minister Jerry Buhler ince. During a one-day retreat at his home, focuses on building trust Buhler, together with his wife Kara, cooked Mennonite Church Saskatchewan con- for and hosted the six couples who came ference minister Jerry Buhler says build- By Karin Fehderau and gave them opportunity to discuss the ing trust among pastors and between Saskatchewan Correspondent unique dynamics in their situations. pastors and their congregations is an Saskatoon, Sask. “It was a positive day,” says Margaret important part of his job. aving spent 18 years ministering in Ewen Peters, who, together with husband HAlberta, Jerry Buhler came to the Gary Peters, pastors Hanley Mennonite a church through the grieving process. role of Mennonite Church Saskatchewan Church. Drawing a distinction between the inten- conference minister with plenty of experi- Another theme that also pushed its way tional interim and interim, Buhler suggests ence. More than two-and-a-half years into into the day was the concept of working in the role of the first comes with a definite his position, his focus is not necessarily to bi-vocational pastorates. A high number of agenda while the role of the second relates hire great pastors for leaderless churches MC Saskatchewan churches also have pas- to helping out with pastoral duties such as or deal with problems between individuals. tors who both preach and work at a second preaching and visiting. Instead, building trust among pastors and job, many of them in agriculture. Just because a church has hired an inten- between pastors and their congregations His care and concern for the well-being tional interim doesn’t mean there are prob- lems, however; sometimes it is just a good The father of five has also poured his energies into idea to take time to process a change in building healthy churches, not just healthy leaders. leadership. “It’s more than filling in,” notes Buhler, “It’s working with that period of a is important, says Buhler, admitting that it of church leaders may be just part of his church’s journey.” “drives a good part” of his job. job, but Buhler is wise to put such time and The first one to take the role of intention- “To be a healthy area church, trust needs effort into these relationships. Two years al interim pastor in the province was Ken to be there,” he says. He knows there are ago, lack of leadership among Saskatchewan Bechtel, when he signed on to be an inten- good working relationships between lead- churches was an issue. A dearth of good tional interim conference minister. He was ers in Saskatchewan, and wants to encour- pastors made his job more challenging. hired specifically to help the area church age them. That, it seems, is the impetus for The father of five has also poured his travel through a time of decision-making. the retreats he organizes. energies into building healthy churches, This way of looking at congregational life When Buhler noticed there was a high not just healthy leaders. Since his arrival is an increasing trend, says Buhler, using number of fresh new faces among MC in the province, the number of intentional the idea that an intentional interim is a Saskatchewan pastors, he saw the benefit interim pastors has grown. That, he be- “pastor of the process.” l of getting everyone together to talk about lieves, is a good thing. He doesn’t believe their experiences. in rushing to fill a pair of shoes behind a

Meeting Needs Together pulpit. Rather, he is more concerned with Mennonite Mutual how the congregation is dealing with the Insurance Co. upcoming change in leadership. (Alberta) Ltd. “In situations where the congregation Head Office: Branch Office: World Wide Travel # 300, 2946 - 32 Street NE Box 2260 has been with the same pastor for 15 years, Calgary, Alberta T1Y 6J7 La Crete, Alberta T0H 2H0 it is a good idea to have an interim period,” Complete travel service for your Tel: (403) 275-6996 Tel: (780) 928-3711 Fax: (403) 291-6733 Fax: (780) 928-3712 he explains. The church members can use business and pleasure needs. Email: [email protected] the time for reflection or work to review We specialize in South America Toll-free Tel: 1-866-222-6996 Toll-free Fax: 1-866-671-6733 its expectations. “If there’s an unfortunate Offering Property, Casualty, and Liability insurance to individuals, E-mail: [email protected] churches, and businesses in Alberta ending, the congregation needs to deal Phone: 1-800-304-6548; 204-326-9411 Building … strong communities, strong churches and impacting our world. Our customers are part of the Mennonite Church and other with that,” he adds. Fax: 204-326-3795 churches of like faith in the province of Alberta. The role of an intentional interim, then, 276 Main St. Steinbach, MB R5G 1Y8 Insurance Compassion Relief is to come into the situation and help 24 Canadian Mennonite November 24, 2008

Artbeat you are my God”—rather than focusing on community. Music Review Songs like “Almighty God,” “Jesus Feed Us” and “The Lorica” onDevotion manage to avoid these pitfalls. Eight of the disc’s 10 songs were written by Bell’s longtime A worship CD without friend, Gord Johnson, and are sung regu- larly at St. Benedict’s Table, the Anglican church the two attend in Winnipeg. Bell the platitudes and his wife Nanci even chose the sequence Devotion. of songs deliberately to follow an arc of By Steve Bell. Produced by Roy Salmond. Signpost Music, 2008. worship similar to that of St. Benedict’s. Reviewed by Aaron Epp Although the songwriting on Bell’s al- bums is always marvellous, they have often anadian singer-songwriter Steve Bell out that’s even remotely reflective of the suffered from over-production. Not so on Chas long been critical of contempor- God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. There’s Devotion. Whether it’s the electric guitar ary Christian music, including worship no mystery. There’s no nothing. It’s just all on “Almighty God” or the backing vocals music. platitude after platitude after platitude. on “Everything We Need,” Bell and produc- And half the time one line actually is not a er Roy Salmond have hit on just the right logical flow of the last one. It’s just bizarre mixture of instruments and vocals to taste- . . . but it sounds right, so everybody goes fully serve these simple songs. for it.” While some people may be put off by On Devotion, Bell gets to put his music Bell’s use of male pronouns to refer to God, where his mouth is. Although many of his Devotion is a finely crafted collection of songs, such as “Ride On, King Jesus” and music that reflects the mystery of the God “Wings of an Eagle,” have been used in of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. worship for years, this is the first of Bell’s Best of all, the CD booklet includes lyrics 15 CDs that is deliberately and consciously and guitar chords so that listeners can act- a “worship” album. ively participate in the music by singing “I’ll be very surprised if this season Contemporary worship music is often along at home or freely incorporating these isn’t one of the low points in the history criticized for monotonous repetition of songs into their own worship settings. l of music writing,” he told Christianity lyrics, crescendos that play on people’s Today in 2005, adding later that “there’s emotions and lyrics that focus on the indi- Aaron Epp is Canadian Mennonite’s na- nothing about the music that’s coming vidual—“I love you, God; I need you, God; tional correspondent.

Photo by Aaron Epp

Edith Krause, a printmaker from Langley, B.C., stands in front of “Arnica,” one of 11 pieces that are part of her “Through the Flowers” exhibit that opened at the Mennonite Heritage Centre Gallery in Winnipeg on Nov. 7. Krause was inspired to create the exhibit by a series of letters received by Franz and Liese Bargen from 1928-33; in spite of the fact that it was illegal—and virtually impossible—for those in the former Soviet Union to communicate with family outside the country, the Bargens received 463 letters from family members who were still living under Stalin. The exhibit attempts to reflect the experiences of those who were left behind, based on the letters. Krause used text and images directly from the letters to create the pieces, as well as family photos. “Through the Flowers” is on display until Dec. 10. Canadian Mennonite November 24, 2008 25

Disney/Pixar photo Film Review Buy N Large a great family film Wall•E. Written and directed by Andrew Stanton. A Disney/Pixar Release, 2008. G rated. Reviewed by Vic Thiessen disturbed by the way the little red-topped robot “villain” was thrown off the captain’s he animated science fiction film malfunctioning computer of 2001: A Space bridge to fall to his “death” on the floor TWALL•E (one of the year’s biggest Odyssey), “I don’t want to survive, I want to below, just like countless Disney villains theatrical hits and now available on DVD) live!” before him. This time, because it’s a robot, opens with a tremendously evocative scene Besides opening the eyes of the blind, children even get to see the body crash and of a strip mall on 28th-century earth. It’s WALL•E brings good news to the poor and die. a polluted wasteland covered with trash, oppressed, hangs out with those who have Still, the messages in WALL•E are so but we can still see all the ads for Buy N been marginalized by corporate culture overwhelmingly positive and radical (for Large, the big box chain of superstores (after freeing them from captivity), and sac- Disney) and the film so beautiful and de- that dominated life in the 21st century, of- rifices his life to save humanity before being lightful, that I am willing to overlook a few fering every conceivable item and service, raised from the dead. Sound familiar? flawed minutes and give it my blessing as a including the space ships that were used to That this film was made by Disney, one marvellous film for all ages to watch again evacuate the humans when toxicity levels of the world’s great consumer-promoting and again. l rendered the planet uninhabitable. corporations, is astonishing. It is either a The ship was only supposed to be gone sign of hope or of the crassest cynicism. Vic Thiessen is director of the London for five years while Buy N Large cleaned up Not that WALL•E is perfect. I was (England) Mennonite Centre. the planet, but the clean-up proved too dif- ficult. Seven hundred years later, the cruise ship is still sailing through space and the Like a Mustard Seed only “life” on earth is WALL•E, a small Mennonites in Paraguay clean-up robot who creates skyscrapers Edgar Stoesz tells the inspiring story of the Russian, with his squares of compacted garbage. Canadian, and Mexican Mennonites who, beginning With almost no dialogue, the first half- hour of this gorgeous, intelligent film in 1927, immigrated to Paraguay and made a new shows us how WALL•E’s daily routine homeland out of the jungle wilderness. (which includes watching old musicals on This is a fascinating story that deserves a promi- a VCR) is disturbed by the arrival of a fe- nent place in the annuals of Mennonite history. male robot. This is followed by a delightful Paper, 280 pages, $24.99 romance and a journey to Axiom, the Buy N Large space ship. On Axiom, people have been taking an endless cruise, with every need met At-Tuwani Journal and every super-sized food and beverage Hope & Nonviolent Action in a Palestinian Village available for purchase and consumption. Art Gish offers an inside view of the work of Christian Peacemaker As a result, people have become so large Teams in the Palestinian town of At-Tuwani. Through vivid stories they can no longer even stand. “Buy more, told in journal fashion, Gish offers a candid but sympathetic portrait eat more and be happy,” say the ads on Axiom. of traditional Palestinians in the shadow of the Israeli occupation of When WALL•E arrives on Axiom, he the West Bank. disturbs the routine of its passengers and Paper, 366 pages, $17.99 crew, waking them up from their dream- like stupor. My favourite line comes from 1 800 631-6535 • www.heraldpress.com the captain, who, after “waking up,” tells the autopilot (patterned after HAL, the 26 Canadian Mennonite November 24, 2008

Focus on Mission & Service Taiwanese Mennonite pastor, preached on “service in the name of Christ.” Dr. Carl Epp and Susan Martens Kehler, for- mer Canadian mission workers, received Taiwan group celebrates honorary Hualien County citizenship from the local magistrate. 60 years of medical mission Following the two-and-a-half-hour thanksgiving service, hospital officials By Sheldon Sawatzky Mennonite Church Canada Release dedicated the obstetrics delivery suite and HUALIEN, Taiwan ward of Mennonite Christian Hospital to the memory of Dr. Alvin Friesen, a mis- sionary doctor from 1958-76. Friesen’s ith dancing, choirs and speeches, Taiwan Presbyterian Church. Mobile widow, Ruby, of Outlook, Sask., and daugh- WTaiwan believers and former mis- clinics, eye clinics and distribution of re- ter Heidi were present for the ceremony. sion workers celebrated the 60th anni- lief goods were carried out around the is- Among other past medical workers who versary of Mennonite medical ministry land among the indigenous groups, who returned to Taiwan to attend the anniver- in Taiwan on Sept. 19 at the Mennonite mostly lived in the mountainous areas of sary celebrations was Tobia Veith, daughter Christian Hospital in Hualien. the island. of Han Vandenberg, who served with MCC A 35-bed hospital built in 1954 under By 1956, MCC transferred the medical and the Commission on Overseas Mission, the leadership of Dr. Roland Brown has ministry to the Board of Missions of the and Martha Vandenberg, who served as a evolved into a 500-bed regional teaching General Conference Mennonite Church, a nurse. Veith, her husband George and their hospital with more than 900 employees. predecessor agency of Mennonite Church three children are carrying on the family The Taiwan medical work by Mennonites Canada Witness and MC USA’s Mennonite mission tradition as long-term workers for began in 1948 when Mennonite Central Mission Network. MC Canada Witness in Macau. Committee (MCC) sent workers from During the celebration, Paul Lin, MCC’s There are now 20 Mennonite churches Kaifeng, China, at the invitation of the first employee in Taiwan and the first in Taiwan. l

Photo by Sheldon Sawatzky ChristianService Serve— try on something new

Go online for: • Service Adventure At the 60th anniversary of Mennonite medical ministry in • Radical Journey Hualien, Taiwan, celebrants sliced a special cake. Doing the Locations including United States, Brazil, honours are former Commission on Overseas Mission worker England, Paraguay and Sweden. Dr. Carl Epp of Winnipeg, Man., left, former mission worker Susan Martens Kehler of Abbotsford, B.C., Mennonite Christian Hospital board chair Paul Wang, and Mennonite Service.MennoniteMission.net Foundation chief executive officer Peter Huang. Canadian Mennonite November 24, 2008 27

ΛΛBriefly noted CMU grads’ radical journey Travel without leaving home Consider hosting or sponsoring leads them to Paraguay an international young adult for a year. WINNIPEG—Canadian Mennonite University (CMU) 2008 grads Scott Bergen and Dorothea Toews, both of Winnipeg, are serving for a year with the Mennonite Mission Network International Volunteer Exchange Program (MMN) Radical Journey program in Paraguay. Bergen is a member of Sterling Mennonite Fellowship, mcc.org/ivep mcc.org/salt while Toews belongs to Fort Garry Mennonite Fellowship. Radical Journey is designed to give young Expand your world and adults an opportunity to experience faith formation within an Anabaptist your family perspective, and help them to develop If you are 18 to 27 years old, their leadership abilities. It consists of consider serving overseas for 11 months. a month-long orientation, followed by 10 months of service in a ministry location around the world, and ends with a one-month internship at the participant’s home congregation. —CMU Release Serving And Learning Together

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Serve onate For one to three weeks tudy ToD general fund for S (short-term) Disaster Recovery Studies at Canadian ongoing responses University For one month or more To a specific disaster like (long-term) Develop as a leader, do service (with Hurricane Gustav or Ike MDS) and gain knowledge of disaster Skilled leaders are specifically needed response and To the Disaster in spring and summer recovery (classroom and hands on Recovery Studies bursary experience) fund (for CMU students) Come as a “Pastor to Project” with no cost to you Include MDS in planned giving (estates, endowements, etc) Mennonite Disaster Service 6A-1325 Markham Road Winnipeg, MB R3T-4J6 Phone (866) 261-1274 Fax (204) 261-1279 E-mail [email protected] 28 Canadian Mennonite November 24, 2008

Yellow Page Business Directory Education Resources Mennonite Central Committee BC invites Mennonite & BIC Resource Centre applicants for the following 519-745-8458 x225 www.mbicresources.org positions: Financial Services Gerber Financial Services, Waterloo, ON Mennonite Central Committee (519) 746-1900; (MCC) is a church based [email protected] international relief, development and peace agency that seeks to demonstrate God’s love by serving among people suffering from poverty, conflict and natural disasters. In British Columbia we support international relief and development efforts by sending funds, personnel and material aid, and we also have local programs that assist people in need here in BC. Qualified candidates for the following positions need to share the mission and beliefs of MCC as well as the specific qualifications Listen. Understand. Plan. for the position. Duane Eby, MBA, CFP, CLU Financial Advisor 410 Conestogo Road, Unit 208, Waterloo, Ontario N2L 4E2 tel 519.725.2006 fax 519.725.2003 Please check the website www.mcc.org/bc or call for a detailed job email [email protected] posting on these and other positions. MCC values diversity and invites all qualified candidates to apply. Executive Assistant The Executive Assistant provides support to the Executive Director in day ACCOUNTS • LOANS • MORTGAGES to day activities by assisting with special events, board meetings, annual ONLINE SERVICES • FINANCIAL PLANNING general meetings, taking minutes at board and management meetings, Aylmer 519.773.9559 1.877.773.6728 keeping official records, general filing, correspondence, church relations, Elmira 519.669.1529 1.800.265.1994 alumni activities and a variety of other duties. Specific qualifications Kitchener 519.576.7220 1.800.565.6801 include several years of experience in a similar role and excellent skills Leamington 519.326.8601 1.888.285.5501 related to written and verbal communications, inter-personal relations, Milverton 519.595.8796 1.800.952.2217 computer literacy and being well organized. This is a full-time salaried Mount Forest 519.509.6728 1.888.509.6728 position based in Abbotsford. New Hamburg 519.662.3550 1.800.567.4047 St.Catharines 905.646.9223 1.866.405.8590 Thrift Shop Positions: Driver/Shipper/Receiver at Abby East Thrift Waterloo 519.746.1770 1.800.265.4513 Shop located in Abbotsford, BC. Serving members of Mennonite, Amish and Brethren in Christ churches across Ontario. www.mscu.com This is a full-time salaried position. Required to drive the thrift shop’s Your Values Your Credit Union one ton vehicle for pick ups and deliveries, must be able to lift and move heavy objects safely, possess good customer service skills, and ability Sound Advice, Excellent Products, Peace of Mind to multi-task are required. Satisfactory driver’s abstract and criminal record check required. Assistant Manager, Vancouver Thrift Shop. This John Thiessen, BA, BTh, CFP is a part-time (.6 FTE) position located in East Vancouver. This position Tel: 1.866.324.9574 includes assisting customers, organizing displays including furniture, [email protected] strong interpersonal, communication and computer skills. Swamper, Investment Vancouver Thrift Shop. This is a part-time (.4 FTE) position located in Planning Counsel TM East Vancouver. Responsible for assisting truck driver in all aspects of I P C I N V E S T M E N T C O R P O R AT I O N loading and unloading furniture, appliances and other items. Must be able Insurance Provided by IPC Estate Services Inc. to lift and move heavy objects safely. Must be proficient in English. Interim Assistant Manager, Clothing Etc. Thrift Shop This is a full-time Insurance interim position working in the receiving and sorting area. Ability to lift and move heavy objects is required. Strong organizational skills and ability to relate well to volunteers and customers. Responsible for the flow of donated items through the sorting and pricing process and onto the sales floor. To apply please send a cover letter and resume to: Attention: Marie Reimer, Human Resources Director (confidential) Creating and Sustaining MCC BC Box 2038, 31414 Marshall Rd., Abbotsford, B.C. V2T 3T8 By fax: 604-850-8734 or by email to [email protected] W H O L E N E S S For more information call 604-850-6639 or check www.mcc.org/bc MAX Canada Insurance Company is Interviews will continue until qualified candidates are selected. All committed to serving the Anabaptist applicants are appreciated, only those selected for an interview will be community with insurance protection contacted. and mutual aid care. HOME • FARM • CHURCH • BUSINESS MUTUAL AID MINISTRIES 877-770-7729 • www.maxcanada.org Products available in Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, Ontario & Saskatchewan Canadian Mennonite November 24, 2008 29

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camp at Camp Valaqua. For grades Jan. 16-18, 2009: MMYO Junior High at St. John the Evangelist Church, ΛΛCalendar 10 to 12. Call 403-637-2510 for more Retreat at Camp Koinonia. Kitchener, at 8 p.m. Tickets available at British Columbia information. Jan. 22-24, 2009: CMU Refreshing the door or by calling 1-800-867-3281. Dec. 6-7: Cedar Valley Mennonite Winds conference. Theme: “Worship Dec. 6, 7: Pax Christi Chorale presents Church in Mission is hosting a festive Saskatchewan come to its senses.” Keynote speakers: Haydn’s Creation, at Grace Church-on- Don Saliers, retired theology and the-Hill, Toronto; 7: 30 p.m. (6), 3 p.m. Olde English Christmas feast and Dec. 6,13: Buncha Guys concerts; at worship professor at Emory University; (7). With full orchestra and soloists. For dinner theatre, including jesters, Knox United Church, Saskatoon (6), and Doug Gay, lecturer in practical tickets, call 416-491-8542. minstrels and madrigal singers. For and at Shekinah Retreat Centre, at 7:30 theology at the University of Glasgow. Dec. 7: Grand Philharmonic Choir tickets, call 604-826-2445. p.m. (13). For more information, visit cmu.ca. presents Handel’s Messiah, featuring Dec. 6-7: Advent Vespers with Dec. 12: RJC chorale performance at Jan. 23-24, 2009: MMYO Senior High the GPC Chamber Singers and Abendmusik Choir at Emmanuel Knox United Church, Saskatoon. (Note: Retreat at Camp Koinonia. the Nota Bene Period Orchestra, Free Reformed Church, Abbotsford Date changed from Dec. 14.) Jan. 26-27, 2009: CMU winter St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, 8 p.m. (6) and Knox United Church, Dec. 19: RJC Christmas concert, at RJC. lectures with Norman Wirzba, Duke Cambridge, 3 p.m. Tickets available at Vancouver, 8 p.m. (7). Donations to Jan. 10, 2009: MCC Saskatchewan Divinity School research professor of 519-578-6885. Menno Simons Centre. gathering for “New wine: New theology, ecology and rural life. For Dec. 7: Inter-Mennonite Children’s wineskins: Reshaping MCC for the more information, visit cmu.ca. Choir presents its Christmas concert, Alberta 21st century,” at Cornerstone Church, Feb. 6-8, 2009: Manitoba Mennonite “Hodie!” at St. Jacobs Mennonite Saskatoon, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Jan. 23-25, 2000: Junior high snow Young Adult retreat at Camp Koinonia. Church, at 3 p.m. Tickets available at Jan. 30-Feb. 1, 2009: Senior high camp at Camp Valaqua. For grades Feb. 6-March 29, 2009: Mennonite the door. youth retreat. 7 to 9. Call 403-637-2510 for more Heritage Centre Gallery exhibit of Dec. 13: Mennonite Mass Choir Feb. 27-28, 2009: MC Saskatchewan information. curated works from the Westgate 50th presents Handel’s Messiah, featuring annual delegate sessions, at North Star Jan. 24, 2009: Mennonite Men anniversary art show. the K-W Symphony Orchestra, at the Mennonite Church, Drake. (Alberta) is celebrating the 25th Feb. 13-15, 2009: MMYO Junior High Centre in the Square, Kitchener, at 7:30 anniversary of the JoinHands Building Retreat at Camp Moose Lake. p.m. Tickets available at Centre in the Manitoba Program at Trinity Mennonite, Calgary, Feb. 14, 2009: Westgate 50th Square. Alta. A noon-hour banquet will be Dec. 18, 19: MCI Christmas concerts, anniversary celebration dance on Dec. 14: Evening festival of lessons and followed by a time of celebration and Gretna; 7:30 p.m. (18), 1:30 p.m. (19). Valentine’s Day, at the Gateway carols, at Wanner Mennonite Church, challenge. For more information, call Jan. 3, 2009: Westgate 50th Community Club, at 8 p.m. Cambridge, at 7 p.m. Marvin Baergen at 403-256-2894. anniversary basketball tournament, at Feb. 20-21, 2009: MC Manitoba Jan. 24, 2009: MC Eastern Canada Feb. 20-22, 2009: Senior high snow Westgate. annual delegate sessions at Winkler young adult volleyball tournament, in Bergthaler Mennonite Church. Kitchener. March 6-8, 2009: Peace, Pray and Jan. 30-Feb. 1, 2009: MC Eastern ΛΛFor discussion Praise-It-Together (PIT) at CMU’s Canada winter youth retreat, in Shaftesbury campus. Theme: “Face Cambridge. 1. Does your congregation have people who became your fears.” Speaker: Tony Campolo. For Jan. 31, 2009: Grand Philharmonic Mennonites without having grown up in a Mennonite church? more information, visit cmu.ca. Choir presents R. Murray Schafer’s How are their stories similar to, or different from, those fea- Threnodyand Karl Jenkins’ The tured here? In what ways are we all “Mennonites by choice?” Ontario Armed Man with the KW Symphony Orchestra, Howard Dyck conducting. Dec. 3: Mennonite Heritage Centre Centre in the Square, Kitchener, 7:30 2. April Yamasaki writes about the sense of community she Club presents “Mennonite Memorial p.m. Tickets available at 519-578-6885. experienced at a Mennonite church. How successful is your 2009: Remembering victims of the Feb. 6-8, 2009: MC Eastern Canada congregation at fostering community? What responsibility do Soviet inferno (1919-89), at the St. winter youth retreat, in Cambridge. individual members carry to maintain community? Clair-O’Connor Community Centre, March 7, 2009: Church leadership Toronto, at 7:30 p.m. Keynote speaker: seminar: “Hope for the small church,” Harvey Dyck, historian and author. 3. Doris Haley Haysom says, “I found my tribe of people.” What in Waterloo. makes her feel connected? Is her tolerance of Mennonite foi- Topic: The background and events leading up to the unveiling of a bles unusual? Why do people play the Mennonite Game (try- Paraguay ing to find connections with new acquaintances)? monument in Chortitza in 2009. Dec. 6: Grand Philharmonic Choir July 14-19, 2009: Mennonite World presents Handel’s Messiah, featuring Conference assembly, Asuncion. 4. Stefan Cherry and Sally and Les Warkentin comment that the GPC Chamber Singers and the Registration materials available at mwc- they were attracted by the concern for peace and justice in the Nota Bene Period Orchestra, First cmm.org. Mennonite Church. Is this something that might attract others United Church, Waterloo, 7:30 p.m. To ensure timely publication of as well? How much do those who grow up in the Mennonite Tickets available at 519-578-6885. upcoming events, please send Church value peace and justice? Dec. 6: Wayne Gilpin Singers present Calendar announcements eight “That ChristmasN ight”—traditional weeks in advance of the event and popular Christmas songs along 5. If you moved to a new community, would you seek out a date by e-mail to calendar@ with jazz stylings of Handel’s Messiah; Mennonite congregation? Why or why not? canadianmennonite.org. Canadian Mennonite November 24, 2008 31

Project Peacemakers PROGRAM COORDINATOR, a full-time ΛΛUpComing MENNONITE VOLUNTARY SERVICE position in Winnipeg. Appli- cants will have a strong commitment to faith, peace and jus- Tyndale Seminary offers ‘Leading tice issues, as well as experience in writing, researching, public through conflict and change’ course speaking and volunteer coordination. Contact 204-775-8178 or [email protected]. TORONTO—When Tyndale Seminary asked its alumni of the past seven years what the seminary should change in its current curriculum, more than a few said, “Add a course URGENTLY NEEDED on how to lead through conflict and change.” Betty Pries, a Christian Alliance International School (CAIS) in Hong Kong member of Waterloo North Mennonite Church, Waterloo, invites applications for the position of Guidance and career counsellor, a post that has recently been vacated Ont., will teach the graduate course, “Leading through con- due to the serious illness of the former counsellor. CAIS is flict and change” in a one-week intensive format from Jan. an Alberta- and Saskatchewan-registered school utilizing a 5-9, 2009. Pries is a senior associate with PACT Associates, Western Canadian curriculum. The School offers an attractive a mediation and training firm based in Kitchener, Ont. The salary and benefits package. course, which can be taken for credit or audited, is geared Further details about the post and the application process may be found on the school web site at cais.edu.hk or those inter- to current pastors and leaders of para-church organizations. ested may contact the School Headmaster directly. Closing For more information, e-mail admissions counsellor Ryan Date: Open until filled. Klassen at [email protected]. Please send applications to: —Tyndale Seminary Release Christian Alliance International School ATTN: Mr. A. Enns, Headmaster 2 Fu Ning Street Kowloon City, Kowloon Hong Kong ΛΛClassifieds Phone: 852-2713-3733 Cell: 852-9221-3036 Employment Opportunities Fax: 852-2760-4324 Email: [email protected] Personal data will be used for recruitment purposes only. Manager (1.0) and Food ServiceS coordinator (.5) required for Camp Moose Lake, a small, well-maintained, year-round facility in southeastern Man., one of three camps operated by MC Manitoba. Skills and abilities required in hosting, menu planning, food preparation, facility and equip- ment maintenance in an isolated setting, financial manage- ment, encouragement. Full job descriptions available at www. campswithmeaning.org. Contact Director of Camping Minis- tries at 204-895-2267 or [email protected]. EDITOR/PUBLISHER Canadian Mennonite is seeking an editor/publisher for the bi- weekly periodical, based in Waterloo, Ontario. Goshen College announces six full-time, ten- Canadian Mennonite is one of the primary communication ure-track faculty positions in the depart- vehicles in Mennonite Church Canada and its five area confer- ments of Art, Biology, Education, English, Physics ences. Owned and operated by Canadian Mennonite Publish- and Psychology beginning in the 2009-10 aca- ing Service, Canadian Mennonite works in a relationship of trust demic year. Application reviews will begin Dec. with the church, seeking to provide fair and accurate informa- 1, 2008, and continue until the positions are tion, faith profiles, inspirational articles, news, and analysis of filled. Please visit our website at goshen.edu/employment for issues facing the Mennonite church. Canadian Mennonite is more information about each position’s responsibilities and guided by the church’s Confession of Faith and a representa- requirements, as well as to submit an application. Women tive Board. and minorities are especially encouraged to apply. Goshen The editor/publisher is accountable to the board, guides College, an affirmative action employer, is a liberal arts insti- and directs the magazine, provides a vision and strategy for tution affiliated with the Mennonite Church. growth, accomplishes goals, and has overall responsibility for the publication. Applicants should have strong commitment to and knowledge Eben-Ezer Mennonite Church is looking for a ChurCh of the Mennonite faith community and for Canadian Mennon- AdministrAtor. This is a ¾-time position available ite’s ministry and mission; a commitment to our Confession of immediately. Applicant must have strong administrative/ Faith; membership in a Mennonite church; communication managerial skills, financial and accounting experience, and be and listening skills; denominational knowledge; administra- proficient with MS Office and computer accounting programs. tive and personnel skills; knowledge of publishing; a journal- The successful applicant will be required to indicate agreement ism degree or related experience; computer competence; and with the purpose, vision and mission statement of Eben-Ezer be self-motivated. Mennonite Church and the Confession of Faith in a Mennonite Perspective and related statements of faith of Mennonite Please direct inquiries and resumes by contacting the search Church British Columbia. Direct resume w/cover letter by fax committee via: (604-850-8455) or e-email: [email protected], or mail to Eben- Henry Neufeld Ezer Mennonite Church, Exec. Committee, 2051 Windsor st., Tel: (604) 946-3961 Abbotsford, BC V2T 6L9. [email protected] Reflection Bind them as a sign on your hand

Photo courtesy of David Nicol

Pastor takes to heart Moses’ admonition to the ancient Israelites in an effort to remain faithful to God

By David Nicol Special to Canadian Mennonite t this summer’s Mennonite Church Canada assembly in I’m amazed that my thin band is still on my wrist more AWinnipeg we were urged to find our way at the cross- than four months later. It’s been through a trip to the United roads of confusing signs by remembering how Jesus meets the Kingdom, a summer of yard work and occasional summer sun! people of faith there in the midst of troubling times. That little band on my wrist has reminded me of how God’s During one worship session, we were invited to tie a thin steadfast, covenant love delivered so far away and so long ago strip of fabric around our wrists as the symbol described in remains firm despite our resistance to follow the path that has Deuteronomy 6. There, Moses gives the commandments and been shown to us. How much more will God do with us and decrees of God summed up with, “You shall love the Lord through us if we more faithfully live in his love and follow his your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with guidance at each crossroad we face. l all your might.” These are not to be just cold laws chiselled in stone, but a way of life: “Bind them as a sign on your hand.” David Nicol is pastor of Waters Mennonite Church, Lively, Ont.